C4-B4ABS B4 The figure uses this formula in cell E4 illustrating the different results you get when using the standard percent variance formula and the improved percent variance formula. Applying the Absolute function to a range of cells will convert the negative numbers to positive while not affecting any values that were already positive. Use the Absolute Function.
Sometimes finance deals with negative quantities that become less negative over time.
In the example shown the formula in C6 is. We know change New value Old value Old value x 100. ABS The Absolute function in Excel returns the positive value of a given cell. A positive change is expressed as an increase amount of the percentage value while a negative change is expressed as a decrease amount of the absolute value of the percentage value.