

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 Excel will close the parenthesis for you automatically and perform the calculation.You are telling Excel that you want the cell you have clicked on to be equal to the equation after the equal sign. While holding the mouse button, drag the mouse from A1 all the way to A10. That is an equal sign, the word SUM, and an open parenthesis.ģ. Click the cell where you want the final result to appear (such as A11). Remember that any numbers you want to subtract should have a minus sign ( -).Ģ. Enter the numbers you want to use in each cell from A1 through A10.

In fact, this function can combine addition and subtraction into a single operation - you simply need to put a minus sign in the cell of every number you want to subtract (this means the number will look like a negative number).ġ. Using the SUM function, we can calculate the result easily. Suppose you have a set of numbers stored in cells A1 through A10, and you want to subtract them. You can use the previous technique to subtract cells, but if you have several cells you want to subtract, there is an easier method - you can subtract a range of cells all at once. How to subtract a range of numbers in Excel
