This article shows how to perform subtraction using Microsoft Excel. There are several ways to do this, so read on to find out which one works best for your needs.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Subtract the Cell Values
Step 1. Launch Microsoft Excel
It features a green icon with a white "X" inside or, in other versions, a green "X".
If you need to use an existing Excel document, double-click its icon
Step 2. Select the Blank Workbook (Windows systems) or Excel Workbook (Mac) option
It is located in the upper left of the "Templates" window.
Step 3. If necessary, enter the data to be processed in the appropriate cells of the worksheet
To do this, select a cell, type the number you want to insert into it and press the Enter key.
Step 4. Click a new blank cell
This way it will be selected by the program.
Step 5. Type the special symbol "=" into the chosen cell
Do not include the quotation marks as well. To be able to insert a formula inside a cell of an Excel sheet, it must always be preceded by the symbol that indicates mathematical equality ("=").
Step 6. Enter the reference index of the cell
This is the one that contains the number you want to subtract the values of the other or the other cells from.
For example, if the value to use as a minuend is contained in cell "C1", you will have to type the alphanumeric index " C1".
Step 7. Enter the operand - inside the same cell
You will see it appear to the right of the value you entered in the previous step.
Step 8. At this point enter the index (or more simply the name) of the cell that contains the value that will be used as a subtract of the calculation
This is the cell that contains the value you want to subtract from the first cell indicated in the formula.
If you wish, you can repeat the process for more cells (for example "C1-A1-B2")
Step 9. Press the Enter key
In this way Excel will perform the calculation corresponding to the formula entered, displaying the result inside the cell that contains it.
To view the formula typed, click with the mouse inside the cell that contains it. The formula will automatically be shown inside the bar located above the row of cells that contains the column headings
Method 2 of 3: Perform a Subtraction Within a Single Cell
Step 1. Launch Microsoft Excel
It features a green icon with a white "X" inside or, in other versions, a green "X".
Step 2. Select the Blank Workbook (Windows systems) or Excel Workbook (Mac) option
It is located in the upper left of the "Templates" window.
Step 3. Select a cell
Unless you want to use the current spreadsheet to store more data, you can choose any of the cells there.
Step 4. Type the special symbol "=" into the chosen cell
Do not include the quotation marks as well. This will tell Excel that you are about to enter a formula.
Step 5. Type the number that will act as a minuend (the value you will subtract all other numbers from)
It will appear inside the selected cell, exactly to the right of the symbol indicating mathematical equality ("=").
For example, if you want to calculate your monthly budget, in this cell you will have to enter the salary you have received
Step 6. Type the symbol -
You will see it appear to the right of the number you entered in the previous step.
If you need to subtract multiple values (for example X-Y-Z), you will need to repeat this step for each number you wish to subtract from the first, excluding the last
Step 7. Type the number that will act as a subtract, ie the value that will be subtracted from the first one you entered
If you are calculating a budget, you will most likely need to enter an expense or cost
Step 8. Press the Enter key
In this way Excel will perform the calculation corresponding to the formula entered, displaying the result inside the cell that contains it.
To view the formula typed, click with the mouse inside the cell that contains it. The formula will automatically be shown inside the bar located above the row of cells that contains the column headings
Method 3 of 3: Subtract the Values of a Column
Step 1. Launch Microsoft Excel
It features a green icon with a white "X" inside or, in other versions, a green "X".
If you need to use an existing Excel document, double-click its icon
Step 2. Select the Blank Workbook (Windows systems) or Excel Workbook (Mac) option
It is located in the upper left of the "Templates" window.
Step 3. Click an empty cell
This way it will be selected by the program.
Step 4. Enter the number that will act as a minuend
This is the value that all others in the selected column will be subtracted from.
For example, you can use your annual income
Step 5. Enter the values to be subtracted using the other cells of the column below the one in which you entered the minuend
For this method to work you will need to enter them as negative values. For example, if you need to subtract 300, you will have to enter it inside the cell as "-300" (without quotes).
- Remember to enter only one value for each cell.
- Make sure you enter each number within the same column that you entered the first one.
- Returning to the example of the calculation of the annual budget, you will have to enter all the numbers (one for each cell) relating to the expenses and costs incurred or to be incurred during the year, preceded by the sign "-".
Step 6. Select a blank cell
In this case, it does not have to be a cell that makes up the same column in which you entered the values to be subtracted.
Step 7. Type the special symbol "=" into the chosen cell
Do not include the quotation marks as well. This will tell Excel that you are about to enter a formula.
Step 8. Enter the SUM keyword
This is the "Sum" function which tells Excel to sum the range of values indicated in the formula.
Excel does not have a native function for subtracting a set of values. This is why we had to enter all the subtrends as negative values
Step 9. Enter the range of cells to be added following this format (Index_First_Cell: Index_Last_Cell)
Type it immediately after the keyword SUM. This command performs the sum in sequence of all the values contained in the range of cells indicated, from the first to the last.
For example, if the minuend of the subtraction was entered inside the cell " K1", and the last subtracting appears inside the cell" K10", the reference data range shall be as follows" (K1: K10) ".
Step 10. Press the Enter key
In this way Excel will perform the calculation corresponding to the formula entered, displaying the result inside the cell that contains it.
