Google Sheets Subtraction Operator

Subtraction Operator

Subtraction uses the - symbol, and is also known as minus.

How to subtract cells:

1. Select a cell and type (=)
2. Select the minuend
3. Type (-)
4. Select the subtrahend
5. Hit enter

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:

1. Type A1(=)
2. Type 100-50
3. Hit enter

Subtracting Using Two Cells

Let's add some numbers to work with. Type the following values:

Subtracting using two cells, step by step:

1. Type A3(=)
2. Select A1
3. Type (-)
4. Select A2
5. Hit enter

Subtracting Using Many Cells

Let's subtract using many cells. First, copy the following values:

100 20 20 30 25

Copy Values

Step by step:

1. Type B1(=)
2. Select A1
3. Type (-)
4. Select A2
5. Type (-)
6. Select A3
7. Type (-)
8. Select A4
9. Type (-)
10. Select A5
11. Hit enter

Subtracting Using Absolute Reference

You can lock a cell and subtract it from other cells.

How to do it, step by step:

1. Select a cell and type (=)
2. Select the minuend
3. Type (-)
4. Select the subtrahend and add two dollar signs ($) before the column and row or press F4
5. Hit enter
6. Fill the range

Let's have a look at an example where we subtract B1(5) from the range A1:A10 using absolute reference and the fill function.

Copy the values to follow along:

50 5 45 40 35 30 25 20 15 10 5

Copy Values

Step by step:

1. Type C1(=)

2. Select A1

3. Type (-)

4. Select B1 and type dollar sign before column and row $B$1

5. Hit Enter

6. Fill C1:C10

You got it! You have successfully used absolute reference to subtract B1(5) from the minuend range A1:A10.