Finding Maximum Relative Difference Between Two Columns

Yes, there is a way to find the maximum relative difference between two columns without creating an extra column. You can use the

Formula:

MAX 


function along with the

Formula:

ABS 


and

Formula:

DIVIDE 


functions to achieve this. Here are the steps:

1. In a blank cell, enter the following formula:
   Formula:

   =MAX(ABS(DIVIDE(A1,B1)-DIVIDE(A2,B2)), ABS(DIVIDE(A2,B2)-DIVIDE(A3,B3)), ABS(DIVIDE(A3,B3)-DIVIDE(A4,B4)), ...) 

2. Replace A1, B1, A2, B2, A3, B3, A4, B4 with the cell references of your data in columns A and B.
3. Continue the pattern of
   Formula:

   ABS(DIVIDE(A,B)-DIVIDE(C,D)) 

   for as many rows as you have data.
4. Press Enter to calculate the maximum relative difference between the values in each row.

This formula calculates the relative difference between the values in each row by dividing the values in column A by the values in column B, then subtracting the result of the second row from the first row, the result of the third row from the second row, and so on. The

Formula:

ABS 


function ensures that the result is always positive, and the

Formula:

MAX 


function returns the highest value of all the relative differences calculated.