How to Subtract in Excel Formula

Microsoft Excel is an incredibly powerful tool used by professionals around the world to analyze and organize data. One of the essential functions of Excel is its ability to perform mathematical calculations, including subtraction. In this blog post, we will guide you through the process of subtracting numbers in Excel using simple formulae. Whether you’re just starting with Excel or looking to refresh your knowledge, this guide will provide you with the necessary information to effectively subtract in Excel.

Subtraction Formula in Excel

The subtraction formula in Excel is a simple calculation that subtracts one number from another number and displays the result. You can find the subtraction formula in the formula tab of the Excel ribbon or by typing the formula directly into a cell.

Step 1: Create a new spreadsheet

Open Microsoft Excel and create a new spreadsheet. You can do this by selecting the “File” option from the menu and choosing “New”. Once you have created a new spreadsheet, you can begin entering data.

Step 2: Enter the Numbers You Want to Subtract

Select the cell where you want to display the result of your subtraction calculation and enter an equal sign (=) followed by the first number you want to subtract. Then enter a minus sign (-) followed by the second number you want to subtract. Finally, press the “Enter” key to display the result of your calculation.

Step 3: Copy the Formula to Other Cells

You can copy the formula you created to other cells in your spreadsheet by clicking and dragging the small square on the bottom right corner of the cell where you entered your formula. The result will be automatically updated with the values you want to subtract in each new cell.

Subtraction Formula Example:

For example, if you want to subtract 5 from 10, you should enter “=10-5” into a cell in your spreadsheet, which will display the result 5. If you want to subtract 10 from 20, you should enter “=20-10” into a cell in your spreadsheet, which will display the result 10.

Subtracting in Excel is a simple and essential calculation. You can subtract numbers in Excel using the formula tab in the Excel ribbon or typing the formula directly into a cell. Remember to copy the formula into other cells and edit the values you want to subtract in each cell. Now that you know how to subtract in Excel, you can apply this calculation for various purposes!

Subtracting Multiple Numbers

If you need to subtract more than two numbers, you can use parentheses to separate different parts of the formula. For example, if you want to subtract 5, 2, and 3 from 20, you can enter the formula “=20-(5+2+3)” in a cell in your spreadsheet. Remember, Excel follows the typical math rules of parentheses first, multiplication and division second, and addition and subtraction last.

Subtracting Numbers in Columns or Rows

If you want to subtract numbers in a column or row, you can use the SUM function to add up the numbers and then subtract one from the other. For example, if you have numbers in cells A1 through A4, you can subtract them from each other by typing “=SUM(A1:A4)-SUM(B1:B4)” into a cell in your spreadsheet.

Subtracting with Negative Numbers

Subtracting with negative numbers is straightforward in Excel. If you want to subtract a negative number, simply enter the number with a minus sign (-) before it. For example, if you want to subtract -5 from 10, you can enter the formula “=10-(-5)” into a cell in your spreadsheet. The result will be 15.

Subtracting Dates in Excel

You can also subtract dates in Excel using the subtraction formula. When you subtract dates, the result will be displayed in days. For example, if you want to find the number of days between two dates, you can enter the formula “=B1-A1” into a cell in your spreadsheet, where cell A1 contains the start date and cell B1 contains the end date.

Subtracting Time in Excel

If you need to subtract time values in Excel, you can use the subtraction formula with time values formatted as time serial numbers. For example, if you want to find the difference between 10:00 AM and 1:00 PM, you can enter the formula “=(B1-A1)*24” into a cell in your spreadsheet, where cell A1 contains the start time and cell B1 contains the end time. The result is displayed in hours by multiplying the result by 24.

Subtracting in Excel is a fundamental skill that you can use for a variety of purposes. Whether you want to subtract two numbers or subtract dates or time, Excel provides an easy-to-use subtraction formula that can save you time and effort. Keep in mind the different formats of negative numbers, dates, and time values and how they affect your subtraction formula.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are the answers to some common questions about subtracting in Excel:

Can I subtract numbers by using “-” in Excel?

Yes, you can use the subtraction operator “-” in Excel to subtract numbers. Simply enter the formula “=x-y” to subtract y from x.

How do I subtract using Excel when the numbers are in different cells?

You can use cell references in your subtraction formula to subtract numbers from different cells in Excel. Simply enter the formula “=x-y”, where x and y are the cell references of the numbers you want to subtract.

Can I subtract negative numbers in Excel?

Yes, you can subtract negative numbers in Excel. Simply enter the negative number with a minus sign (-) before it in your subtraction formula.

How do I subtract a percentage from a number in Excel?

You can subtract a percentage from a number in Excel by multiplying the number by 1 minus the percentage expressed as a decimal. For example, to subtract 20% from 100, you can enter the formula “=100*(1-20/100)” into a cell in your spreadsheet.

How do I subtract time in Excel?

To subtract time in Excel, you can use the subtraction formula with time values formatted as time serial numbers. Enter the formula “=(B1-A1)*24” into a cell in your spreadsheet, where cell A1 contains the start time and cell B1 contains the end time. The result will be displayed in hours.