Comments on: How to subtract in Excel: formula for numbers, percentages, dates and times

Subtraction is one of the four basic arithmetic operations, and every primary school pupil knows that to subtract one number from another you use the minus sign. This good old method also works for subtracting numbers and cells in Excel. Continue reading →

Comments page 2. Total comments: 67

  1. You are using terms I don't understand. I just need to know:

    the formula to subtract row 23 from row 25 across ALL columns?

    1. Hello!
      To subtract each position of line 23 from line 25 use the formula

      =A25-A23

      Copy the formula to the right line by line.
      If this is not what you wanted, please describe your problem in more detail.

  2. Hi, Is there a way I can have a cell calcuate and keep a running total each week.
    Examaple
    I have 2 columns:
    C4-(Units to be billed)A number will be entered in this column weekly and D4 (Units Used) to keep a running total of data entered in C4 each week.

    So If I enter 4 in C4 .. it will calcuate 4 in D4 but the following week if I enter 6 in C4 it should populate in 10 in D4.

    Any help would be greatly appreciated.

  3. Hi I want to if it's possible that.. If a enter a value in a cell can it automatically subtract the value of a different cell.. E g
    Cell A1 has 940.. I want to manually enter 10940 in cell A2 and then it automatically shows 10000 in a cellA2.. Is there a formula for this

    1. Hello Andy!
      Either a formula or a value can be written in an Excel cell. If you entered 10940, then you can change this cell either manually or using the VBA.

  4. Hi Svetlana

    I hope this find you well
    I am trying to find a formula to subtract the first 6 digits from a large string of digits, from one cell to another across column A and B
    column A Column B
    1234567891011122 123456
    1234567891011122
    1234567891011122
    1234567891011122
    many thanks
    Amanda

    1. Hello Amanda!
      If the result should be a number, then use the formula

      =--LEFT(TEXT(A1,"####"),6)

      I hope this will help, otherwise please do not hesitate to contact me anytime.

  5. PLEASE SUGGEST THE FORMULA FOR SUBTRACTION RESTRICTION WITH A NUMBER, SUPPOSE IN A TABLE VARIOUS ROWS FOR SUBTRACTION ARE THERE, THE AMOUNT TO BE SUBTRACTED IF BECOMES MORE THAN A CERTAIN NUMBER, THEN ALSO THE CERTAIN NUMBER ONLY SHOULD BE SUBTRACTED NOT THAT MORE NUMBER.

    1. How to perform subtraction of 3 billion (3,000,000,000) frm 2 Septillion (2,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000)?
      It wun give the correct answer as if the 3B has been ignored.

  6. i have followed this to the letter... just trying to subtract one column from the other.... does not work.

    1. Hi Dana,
      You may want to download our sample workbook and see how the formula is implemented there. Hope that will be helpful.

  7. I have a cell with the formula =DATEDIF(G7,C2,"d") to get the number of days since a breeding event for cattle. I would like to be able to have another cell that automatically subtracts that number from 282, changing each day (like a countdown of days left, where 282 is the total days in gestation so I know how many days until they are due).

    Thank you!
    Lindsay

    1. Hi Lindsay,
      How about using the Excel DAYS function instead of the DATEDIF one? If that is okay with you, the formula is as follows:
      =282 - DAYS(TODAY(), G7)

  8. subtract function does not exist in excel ???? but you write =c1-c2 let say. too me it looks like a function but it works only once why ?

    1. Hi Bob,

      Functions and formulas are a bit different things.

      Function is a predefined formula already available in Excel. Functions perform specific calculations based on the specified values, called arguments, or parameters.

      For example, Excel provides a built-in function to add up numbers: SUM(number1,[number2],...)

      A built-in SUBTRACT function does not exist. But you can make your own subtract formula like =A1-A2

  9. Hi,
    I'm currently trying to write a function for a time sheet at work and am having a little bit of trouble. My goal is to alert my boss when a task is close to being due but i've run into a bump thats making me scratch my head a little.
    C5= 193 (HOURS ALLOWED ON PROJECT) E5= 183 (HOURS ACCUMULATED)
    IF(C5=E5-10,"10 Hours Left")))
    Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

    1. Cameron,

      It's not really a formula but if you were to type the following, it'll give you results that I think you're looking for:

      =IF(E5=183,"10 Hours Left","")

      If you need more help on your spreadsheet let me know. Ann

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