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How to subtract in Excel

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Using Microsoft Excel to subtract numbers may take a few more steps than you're used to, but it can be done.

In this guide, we'll show you four different ways to subtract in Excel: Within a cell, using numbers from different cells, via the SUM function, and using the status bar. This way, you'll have a different method you can use depending on your subtraction needs or desired level of ease of use. Scroll on to learn how to subtract in Excel.

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Difficulty

Easy

Duration

10 minutes

What You Need

  • A PC

  • Microsoft Excel

How to subtract within a cell

Just need to quickly subtract two numbers? You can do that within a single cell in an Excel spreadsheet.

Step 1: In an Excel spreadsheet, click on an empty cell. Then, within that cell, type the following (omit the brackets and spaces):

=[first number] - [second number]

For our example, that would look like: =9-1

Subtracting two numbers within a cell in Excel using a formula.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Step 2: Then hit Enter on your keyboard.

The correct answer to your subtraction math problem should immediately appear and replace the formula you typed in.

In our example, the answer that appeared was 8.

The correct answer that appears after using a formula to subtract two numbers within a cell in Excel.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

How to subtract in different cells

If you have numbers located in different cells in your spreadsheet that you want to subtract, you can do so by using cell references and a formula.

Step 1: Choose the numbers you want to subtract and make note of their respective cell references. (A cell reference is a way to denote the location of a given cell in a spreadsheet and the combination of a cell's column number and row number. For example, if one of your numbers is in a cell that is located in column A and row 6, the cell reference for that number would be A6.)

Step 2: Click on a blank cell in your spreadsheet and type in the following formula, omitting the spaces and brackets and filling in your numbers' cell references where appropriate:

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

In our example, that would look like: =A5-A6

Subtracting two numbers in different cells in Excel using cell references and a formula.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Step 3: Then hit Enter on your keyboard.

The correct answer to this subtraction problem should automatically appear in place of the formula you just typed in.

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

(You can protect the formulas and the data they rely on by locking specific cells of the spreadsheet.)

The answer that appears after using cell references and a formula to subtract two numbers in different cells in Excel.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

How to subtract using the SUM function

While Excel doesn't have a separate subtract function, you can still use the SUM function to subtract numbers.

Step 1: Click on an empty cell. Then type in the following (entering in your own numbers):

=SUM(first number,-second number)

Note: It doesn't matter which number is the negative one, but one of them has to be for the subtraction to occur.

So in our example, since we want to subtract 227 from 444 the formula can look like this:

=SUM(444,-227)

or it can look like this

=SUM(-227, 444)

Using the SUM function to subtract two numbers in Excel.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Step 2: Hit Enter on your keyboard.

The correct answer should immediately replace the formula you typed in.

In our example, the answer would be 217.

How to subtract using the status bar

You don't always have to enter in a formula to subtract numbers in Excel. You can also just use Excel's status bar (located at the bottom of your screen) to your advantage. Just type your numbers into their own individual cells and turn one of them into a negative number. So again, if you wanted to subtract 227 from 444, you would type 444 into one cell and type -227 into the cell next to 444.

Then just select both cells. Now look at the bottom of the screen at the status bar. You'll find your answer next to SUM:.

Using the status bar in Excel to subtract two numbers.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Creating formulas to subtract values in Excel is straightforward to start with, but as you can see it has some advanced uses. Getting to grips with basic math in spreadsheets can help you make the most of this software. So, why not spend some time learning how to multiply in Microsoft Excel?

Once you've done that, make sure you're familiar with Excel's keyboard shortcuts, which will help you to become more adept at using the software.

Anita George
Anita George has been writing for Digital Trends' Computing section since 2018. So for almost six years, Anita has written…
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