How to subtract in Excel

Using Microsoft Excel to subtract numbers could take a couple of extra steps than you are used to, however it may be finished.

On this information, we’ll present you 4 other ways to subtract in Excel: Inside a cell, utilizing numbers from completely different cells, by way of the SUM operate, and utilizing the standing bar. This manner, you may have a distinct methodology you should use relying in your subtraction wants or desired degree of ease of use. Scroll on to discover ways to subtract in Excel.

The right way to subtract inside a cell

Simply must shortly subtract two numbers? You are able to do that inside a single cell in an Excel spreadsheet.

Step 1: In an Excel spreadsheet, click on on an empty cell. Then, inside that cell, kind the next (omit the brackets and areas):

=[first number] – [second number]

For our instance, that may appear to be: =9-1

Step 2: Then hit Enter in your keyboard.

The proper reply to your subtraction math downside ought to instantly seem and change the formulation you typed in.

In our instance, the reply that appeared was 8.

The right way to subtract in several cells

When you have numbers positioned in several cells in your spreadsheet that you just wish to subtract, you are able to do so through the use of cell references and a formulation.

Step 1: Select the numbers you wish to subtract and make notice of their respective cell references. (A cell reference is a approach to denote the placement of a given cell in a spreadsheet and the mix of a cell’s column quantity and row quantity. For instance, if one in every of your numbers is in a cell that’s positioned in column A and row 6, the cell reference for that quantity could be A6.)

Step 2: Click on on a clean cell in your spreadsheet and kind within the following formulation, omitting the areas and brackets and filling in your numbers’ cell references the place acceptable:

=[cell reference for first number] – [cell reference for second number]

In our instance, that may appear to be: =A5-A6

Step 3: Then hit Enter in your keyboard.

The proper reply to this subtraction downside ought to routinely seem instead of the formulation you simply typed in.

For our instance, since A5 equals 444 and A6 equals 227, the reply that appeared was 217.

(You may defend the formulation and the information they depend on by locking specific cells of the spreadsheet.)

The right way to subtract utilizing the SUM operate

Whereas Excel does not have a separate subtract operate, you possibly can nonetheless use the SUM operate to subtract numbers.

Step 1: Click on on an empty cell. Then kind within the following (getting into in your individual numbers):

=SUM(first quantity,-second quantity)

Word: It does not matter which quantity is the adverse one, however one in every of them must be for the subtraction to happen.

So in our instance, since we wish to subtract 227 from 444 the formulation can appear to be this:

=SUM(444,-227)

or it could appear to be this

=SUM(-227, 444)

Step 2: Hit Enter in your keyboard.

The proper reply ought to instantly change the formulation you typed in.

In our instance, the reply could be 217.

The right way to subtract utilizing the standing bar

You do not all the time must enter in a formulation to subtract numbers in Excel. You may as well simply use Excel’s standing bar (positioned on the backside of your display) to your benefit. Simply kind your numbers into their very own particular person cells and switch one in every of them right into a adverse quantity. So once more, if you happen to wished to subtract 227 from 444, you’ll kind 444 into one cell and kind -227 into the cell subsequent to 444.

Then simply choose each cells. Now have a look at the underside of the display on the standing bar. You may discover your reply subsequent to SUM:.

Creating formulation to subtract values in Excel is easy to begin with, however as you possibly can see it has some superior makes use of. Attending to grips with primary math in spreadsheets may also help you profit from this software program. So, why not spend a while studying how to multiply in Microsoft Excel?

As soon as you have finished that, ensure you’re accustomed to Excel’s keyboard shortcuts, which is able to make it easier to to grow to be more proficient at utilizing the software program.