Methods to Use the SUBTRACT Operate in Excel

Excel is a robust spreadsheet program from Microsoft that makes it straightforward to work with numbers and different values.

Whereas Excel comprises a variety of energy, it’s additionally fairly helpful for easy addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.

In reality, Excel’s easy formulation make it straightforward so as to add and subtract numbers and cell values with out breaking out a calculator.

Methods to Use Subtract Operate in Excel

Lots of Excel’s strongest capabilities come by way of the usage of features, that are a sort of predesigned components.

For instance, the SUM operate mechanically sums or totals a spread of cells with out you having to manually add every cell to the earlier one. 

Sadly, there is no such thing as a SUBTRACT operate in Excel. That’s as a result of subtracting is among the best issues you are able to do in a spreadsheet. 

I‘ve discovered that performing subtraction in Excel is so simple as getting into a easy mathematical components. Excel does the remainder. 

The components for subtracting one quantity from one other begins with an equal signal and appears like this:

=value1 – value2

It doesn’t get a lot simpler than that. You’ll be able to subtract discrete values or the values contained in particular person cells. 

For instance, let’s say I wish to put an aquarium in my residence so I can get pleasure from tropical fish.

I made a spreadsheet of the totally different duties I would like to finish and the way a lot I anticipate every buy to price. I then collect the receipts to notice what I really spent. We’ll use subtract to see if my anticipated prices match actuality. 

Step 1: Kind an equal register a cell.

You subtract numbers and cell values in Excel utilizing a easy components. In Excel, each components begins with an equal signal, so place your cursor within the cell the place you wish to present the answer and enter the next:

=

Step 2: Add the primary cell tackle.

Place the cursor after the equal and both manually enter the primary cell tackle or use your mouse to pick out the primary cell. You need to now see one thing like this:

=B2

Step 3: Enter a minus signal.

Place the cursor after the primary cell tackle and enter a minus signal, like this:

=B2-

Step 4: Add the second cell tackle.

Place the cursor after the minus signal and both manually enter the second cell tackle or use your mouse to pick out the second cell. You now have the next components:

=B2-C2

Step 5: Press enter to the answer.

Press enter to enter the components, and the answer is displayed within the cell. After working the components on each line in my sheet, I can see that I accomplished my aquarium with $236 to spare. 

Ideas for Subtracting in Excel

You’re not restricted to subtracting only one cell from one other. In my expertise, I’ve discovered that Excel can carry out many several types of subtraction.

For instance, you may subtract total rows and columns, in addition to cell ranges. Listed here are three recommendations on tips on how to get probably the most out of subtracting in Excel.

Methods to Subtract A number of Cells

You’re not restricted to easy subtraction in Excel. You’ll be able to subtract a number of cells from a single cell by stringing collectively extra cell addresses with minus indicators.

For instance, to subtract cells C13 via C 18 from B12, use the components:

=B12-C13-C14-C15-C16-C17-C18

You might additionally write this as subtracting a spread of cells from the primary cell. On this occasion, you’d use the vary B2:B4 and enter this components:

=B12-(C13:C18)

Simply enclose the vary you’re subtracting inside parentheses. 

Methods to Subtract Whole Columns

Chances are you’ll wish to subtract all of the values in a single column from all of the values in one other column. That is simply accomplished by copying the components from a single cell to all of the cells within the answer column.

Merely enter your subtraction components into the primary cell in a brand new column. Then, copy that components to the opposite cells within the column by dragging the nook of the primary cell down the column.

All of the cells in subsequent rows will subtract the identical two relative cells as within the first components.

For instance, should you copy the components =D1-C1 downward via a column, the cells in every subsequent row would include the formulation:

=B2-C2

=B3-C3

=B4-C4

And so forth. 

Methods to Subtract the Identical Quantity From a Column of Numbers

Excel additionally enables you to subtract the identical quantity or cell worth from all of the cells in a column. You do that by locking the repeated quantity with greenback indicators ($). 

Let’s say you wish to subtract the worth in a given cell from a spread of cells. For our instance, assume the cell you wish to subtract is G1. 

You’ll be able to’t simply enter G1 after which copy the components as a result of Excel will change the referenced cell as you copy the components.

As a substitute, you might want to lock G1 into the components through the use of greenback indicators ($) in entrance of the row and column referenced by getting into $G$1.

This tells Excel to at all times reference cell G1, regardless of the different values within the components. You find yourself with one thing like this:

=C2-$G$1

Professional tip: You’ll be able to then copy that components down a whole column, subtracting the mounted quantity from every cell in that column.

To be taught much more about Excel, take a look at our article on Methods to Use Excel Like a Professional. This convenient article comprises 29 highly effective suggestions, methods, and shortcuts that may make Excel much more highly effective. 

Getting Began

Excel consists of highly effective arithmetic capabilities, together with the power to subtract numbers and cell values. Excel makes easy subtraction as straightforward as writing numbers on a blackboard.