How To Subtract In Google Sheets

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Google Sheets provides an easy-to-use, powerful platform for all your spreadsheet needs. Whether you’re budgeting, organizing client sales lists, or juggling an enormous amount of data for your latest project, Google Sheets can do it all. One of the most basic functions you can perform is subtraction. This blog post will guide you on how to subtract in Google Sheets.

Subtracting Two Numbers

The simplest way to perform subtraction in Google Sheets is to subtract two numbers. Here’s how to do it:

  1. Click on the cell where you want the difference to be displayed.
  2. Type the equals sign (=)
  3. Type the number from which you want to subtract, followed by the minus sign (–).
  4. Type the number you want to subtract.
  5. Press Enter.

For example:

	=10-5

This will display 5, the result of the subtraction.

Subtracting Cell References

More commonly, you’ll want to subtract numbers in different cells. Instead of typing the numbers directly, you can refer to the cells where those numbers are. Here’s how:

  1. Click on the cell where you want the difference to be displayed.
  2. Type the equals sign (=).
  3. Click on the cell containing the number from which you want to subtract.
  4. Type the minus sign (–).
  5. Click on the cell containing the number you want to subtract.
  6. Press Enter.

For example:

	=A2-B2

This will subtract the value in cell B2 from the value in cell A2.

Subtracting a Range of Cells

If you want to subtract multiple cells from a single cell, you’ll need to use the SUM function to add them together first. Here’s how you do it:

  1. Click on the cell where you want the difference to be displayed.
  2. Type the equals sign (=).
  3. Click on the cell containing the number from which you want to subtract.
  4. Type the minus sign (–).
  5. Type SUM(.
  6. Click and drag to select the range of cells you want to subtract, or type the range.
  7. Type ).
  8. Press Enter.

For example:

	=A2-SUM(B2:B4)

This will subtract the sum of the values in cells B2 to B4 from the value in cell A2.

Subtracting in Google Sheets can be as simple or as complex as you need it to be. Whether you’re subtracting two numbers or a range of cells, Google Sheets has the functionality to get it done. Happy calculating!