Excel Formula to Find Difference Between Two Numbers

Subtraction definition and nomenclature

• Minuend: A quantity or number from which another is to be subtracted. In the above example, 9 is the minuend.
• Minus Sign (-): Then we use a minus symbol (-) to find the difference between two numbers.
• Subtrahend: Subtrahend is the quantity or number to be subtracted from minuend.
• Equal Sign (=): Then we place an equal sign (=).
• Difference: Difference is the result of the subtract operation.

How to Find the Difference Between Two Numbers Using Excel Formula

Method 1 – Using Numbers Directly in the Formula

• Input an equal sign (=) to start an Excel formula
• Input the minuend value.
• Input the minus sign (-).
• Place the subtrahend value.
• Press Enter.

Example: =50-5

Note: If the subtrahend value is negative, use the parentheses to place the number in the subtraction formula like this: =-91-(-23)

Why is this method not suggested?

• If you have more than one subtraction, you have to write a formula for every subtraction individually
• You cannot copy the same formula for another set of numbers
• Time-consuming as you have to write a formula for every set of numbers individually

Method 2 – Using Cell References Instead of Numbers in the Formula

• In the cell C2, input this formula: =A2-B2

• Press Enter.

• Copy this formula for other cells in the column. You can apply the same formula to multiple cells in Excel in more than one way.

Method 3 – Calculate the Absolute Difference Between Two Numbers in Excel with the ABS Function

The ABS(number) function returns the absolute value of a number, i.e., without its sign.

Here’s an example of using the formula to get the absolute differences.

Read More: How to Subtract Two Columns in Excel

The Percentage Difference Between Two Numbers in Excel

Here’s the equation to calculate the Percent Difference.

E₁ = First experimental value and E₂ = Second experimental value

• Use this formula in cell C2: =2*ABS(A2-B2)/(A2+B2)

How does this formula work?

• The difference between numbers A2 and B2 (A2-B2) can be negative. We have used the ABS() function (ABS(A2-B2)) to make the number absolute.
• We multiplied the absolute value by 2, then divided the value by (A2+B2)

Read More: How to Create a Subtraction Formula in Excel

Calculate the Percentage Change for Negative Numbers in Excel

Theoretically and even practically, you cannot find the percentage change for negative numbers. When it is not possible theoretically, how can we calculate them in Excel?

Not possible. Whatever methods you use, you will find misleading results.

Here I will show 3 methods to calculate the percentage change of negative numbers in Excel but all of them will mislead you. So, be aware of it before using them in your work.

Method 1 – Calculate the % change of Negative Numbers by Making the Denominator Absolute

We want to calculate the percentage of two values:

Old value: -400

New value: 200

We’ll use the formula: % change = ((New value – Old value)/ Old value) x 100%

If we apply this formula to calculate the % change of the two above values (-400 & 200), this will be the result:

= ((200 – (-400))/-400)*100%

= 600/(-400)*100%

= -150%

This is a completely wrong answer.

Some companies use the ABS method. In this method, the denominator is made absolute.

These results are also misleading because you see -100 to 200 shows the biggest % change when -500 to 200 shows the smallest % change.

Take a look at the following image:

These results are also misleading.

You see, though company E has seen the sharpest decline in income (from 600 to -100), the % change is showing that it has declined the lowest (-117%).

Method 2 – Shift the Numbers to Make Them Positive

We have two values:

Old value: -50

New value: 20

We will shift these two numbers using their absolute values and then multiplying by 2: (|-50|+ |20|)*2 = 140

shifted_old value = -50 + 140 = 90

shifted_new value = 20 + 140 = 160

The resulting % change: ((160-90)/90)*100% = 77.78%

Let’s see whether this method gives us satisfactory results:

The last row shows a stark difference in the expected result.

Solution: Show N/A (or anything) When the % Change of Negative Numbers Appears

Here’s the general formula:

<code>IF(MIN(old_value, new_value)<=0, “N/A”, (new_value-old_value)/old_value)

Download the Excel File

Related Articles

• Subtraction for Whole Column in Excel
• How to Subtract from Different Sheets in Excel
• Excel VBA: Subtract One Range from Another
• How to Subtract in Excel Based on Criteria
• How to Subtract from a Total in Excel
• How to Subtract Multiple Cells in Excel

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