Excel Subtraction Operator
Subtraction Operator
Subtraction uses the -
symbol, and is also known as minus.
How to subtract cells:
- Select a cell and type (
=
) - Select the minuend
- Type (
-
) - Select the subtrahend
- Hit Enter
Note: The minuend is the number to which the subtrahend subtracts from.
You can add more cells to the formula by typing (-
) between the cells.
Let's have a look at some examples.
Subtracting Two Manual Entries
Let's start with adding in a formula. Start with a clean sheet
Step by step:
- Type
A1(=)
- Type
100-50
- Hit Enter
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Tip: You can add more values into the formula by typing (-) between the cells.
Subtracting Using Two Cells
Let's add some numbers to work with. Type the following values:
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Subtracting using two cells, step by step:
- Type
A3(=)
- Select
A1
- Type (
-
) - Select
A2
- Hit Enter
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Subtracting Using Many Cells
Let's subtract using many cells. First, type the following values:
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Step by step:
- Type
B1(=)
- Select
A1
- Type (
-
) - Select
A2
- Type (
-
) - Select
A3
- Type (
-
) - Select
A4
- Type (
-
) - Select
A5
- Hit Enter
Subtracting Using Absolute Reference
You can lock a cell and subtract it from other cells.
How to do it, step by step:
- Select a cell and type (
=
) - Select the minuend
- Type (
-
) - Select the subtrahend and add two-dollar signs (
$
) before the column and row - Hit Enter
- Fill the range
Note: The minuend is the number to which the subtrahend subtracts from.
Let's have a look at an example where we subtract B(5)
from the range A1:A10
using absolute reference and fill function.
Type the values:
Step by step:
- Type
C1(=)
- Select
A1
- Type (
-
) - Select
B1
and type dollar sign before column and row$B$1
- Hit Enter
- Fill
C1:C10
You got it! You have successfully used absolute reference to subtract B1(5)
from the minuend range A1:A10
.