what is the subtraction formula in excel

When you click “enter”, the number -1 will appear in the cell because (-4)-(-3)=-1. Type “=-4-(-3)” (without quotation marks) When subtracting a negative number it is helpful to use parentheses around the negative number to more easily see both the subtraction symbol and the negative symbol.Įxample: Calculate (-4) - (-3) using Excel.Īnswer: Click on a cell. We could add them all together individually, or we could use the sum function by typing in “=sum(C1:C6)”. This technique is particularly helpful when adding negative and positive numbers together in Excel.Įxample: Imagine a column of numbers in Excel, some positive and some negative. Making the 2 a negative number and then adding the cells together is the same as subtracting. This is the same answer we calculated in cell A3 in our previous example using subtraction and referencing cells. Notice that the number 6 appears in cell B3. In B3 use the sum function to add B1 and B2 together by typing into it “=sum(B1:B2)” This is particularly handy in Excel.Įxample: Calculate 8-2 but using the concept of adding a negative number and using the SUM function. Subtraction is actually the same as adding a negative number. Notice that A3 automatically changes to 6 since 8-2=6. Notice that the value in A3 automatically changes to 4 because 8-4=4īoth of the numbers in A1 and A2 can change because we are using references for both of them.Įxample: Change A2 to the number 6. The advantage of doing this is that the numbers in cells A1 and A2 can change and the value in A3 will automatically calculate the new equation. The number 3 appears in cell A3 because 7-4=3. Subtract 7- 4 in another cell using the cell references for A1 and A2.Īnswer: In cell A3 type “=A1-A2” (without the quotation marks) The number 7 is in A1 and the number 4 is in A2.

You can subtract the values in different cells by referencing them just as you do with addition or any other mathematical operation. Referencing Cells and using the hyphen symbol for subtraction

You are telling Excel that you want the cell you have clicked on to be equal to the equation after the equal sign.

What is the subtraction formula in excel