Formulas like subtraction and addition are very simple to implement in Google Sheets. In this article, you will learn ‘How to Subtract in Google Sheets’ instantly and accurately. We are going to learn How to Subtract Numerical values, Date & Time, and cells, etc. Formulas are key to subtract all types of values. But we can directly subtract numerical values in a cell of Google sheets.
There is lots of knowledgeable content available in this article by which you can learn all types of subtraction that you can do in your spreadsheet. Google Sheets is the best spreadsheet program and it is also a superior competitor of MS Excel. It carries so many plus points that MS Excel doesn’t have. Well, we will talk about it at the end of the article but initially, let’s learn How to Subtract in Google Sheets.
Table of Contents
How to Subtract in Google Sheets
In the Google Sheets, You need to click on that cell in which you want the subtraction. After that, just place the equal sign first in the cell and then type the values of which you want the subtraction. You can use this when you want the subtraction of two num values in one cell. We have described this process in a brief description. You can subtract all types of values in the google sheet. You just need to learn it from this article.
How to Subtract In Google Sheets
If you want to subtract numerical values in the google sheets then you can follow the below steps. You will get a brief description. We have covered all the information related to this way in the steps. So let’s read the steps.
- First, you need to open the Google Sheets on your PC.
- Open the Spreadsheet in which you want to do subtraction. You can also open a new sheet to practice it.
- Now select the cell in which you want to do the subtraction of numerical values.
- Place the equal sign (=) first in the cell.
- After that, you need to put the values like =20-10 in the cell. You need to put the values that you want to subtract.
- Hit the Enter to get the subtraction in Google Sheets.
Just complete all these steps to do the subtraction in Google Sheets. In this way, we talked about the subtraction of numerical values in one cell. Now in the next ways, you will learn the other types of subtractions that you can do in the Google Sheets.
If you want to learn How to Subtract in MS Excel then you can also learn it on our website. You just need to click on the below text and you will be redirected to that article. But first, read this article to get a piece of better knowledge.
How to Subtract in Excel Sheet ← Click on it to read it.
How to Subtract Cells in Google Sheets
In this way, we are going to learn how to subtract the values of two cells in another cell. It is too easy to do the subtraction of two cells in the other cell. We need to select the cell in which we want to do subtraction. After that, place the equal sign, then just click on the first cell and then put the minus sign, after that, select the second cell, and then just hit the enter. You can learn it step by step with the help of the below-mentioned steps.
- First, open the sheet in which you want to do the subtraction of two cells.
- Now enter the values in the two cells.
- Select the cell for the subtraction of two cells.
- Place the equal sign(=) in the cell in which you want to do the subtraction.
- Click on the first cell of which you want the subtraction.
- Place the minus sign after the first cell.
- Now click on the second cell of which you want the subtraction. Your cell will look like this =A1-B1 after completing 7 steps.
- When you will complete all these 7 steps then just press the enter button on your keyboard to get the subtraction.
These are the instructions that you need to follow to do the subtraction of two cells. If you want to learn the subtraction of multiple cells then you can learn it also in the below way.
How to Subtract Multiple Cells In Google Sheets
Here, you are going to learn How to Subtract multiple cells in google sheets. If you want to subtract multiple cells from one big cell then this way is for you. It is also too easy to subtract multiple cells in google sheets. You just need to read the steps carefully to know how to subtract multiple cells in google sheets. So let’s read the steps.
- Open a sheet in which you want to subtract multiple cells in Google Sheets.
- Select the cell in which you want to do the subtraction.
- Now place the equal sign(=) first in the cell.
- Select the first cell in which you have the biggest values from the other cells.
- After the first cell, place the minus sign in the cells.
- Now use the formula Sum(Cell: Cell). Example, =A1-SUM(A2: A9). You can also look at the image to get a better explanation.
- When you will complete all these steps then you just need to hit the enter button and you will get your subtraction.
All you have to do is follow these easy steps to subtract multiple cells from one big cell. You can learn more in the next way. So just read the next way and gain more knowledge.
How to Subtract Rows and Columns in Google Sheets
In this way, we are going to learn How to Subtract One column to another column in Google Sheets. It is very easy to do this type of subtraction in google sheets. This is a process that I can only explain to you with the help of steps. So read all the below mentioned steps.
- First, open the sheet in which you have enough data to do this type of subtraction in google sheets.
- Click on the third cell in which you want the subtraction result of the first two cells.
- Now Subtract the first two cells with the help of the second way of this article in which we have described How to Subtract Cells in Google Sheets. Well, this formula (=A1-A2) needs to be used in the third cell to subtract the first two cells.
- After the subtraction of the first two cells in the third cell, you just need to click on the bottom right anchor of the cell and then move it to the bottom cell to get the subtraction of both columns. When you will click on the bottom right corner of the cell then your cursor converts into the plus icon.
- When you have done all the steps then you can see the subtraction of both columns in the third column.
I hope that you have understood these steps and the process of How to Subtract Rows and Columns in Google Sheets. In the next way, you are going to learn to subtract the date and time.
How to Get the Subtraction of Date and Time
This is a little bit tricky to get the subtraction of date time in google sheets. It is also easy but first, you need to understand the right process. The subtraction of date and time in Google sheets is almost the same as the upper ways. We need to learn the format and the way by which we can subtract date or time in google sheets. You can learn the right way and format of the date and time below.
Format of Date and Time in Google Sheets
Format: DD/MM/YYYY Here D stands for Date, M stands for Month, and Y stands for the Year.
Time: HH:MM:SS Here H stands for Hour, M stands for Minute, and S stands for Seconds.
This is the format of date and time in google sheets. If you want to subtract date and time in google sheets then you need to use this format. One more thing to notice in google sheets is that google sheets do not understand AM and PM time format. You need to follow the 24 hours format in google sheets.
If you want to subtract date and time and you need to enter your date and time in this format. You can also change the format of your cell and convert it to the date and time. You just need to follow the below steps.
- Select the cell of which you want to change the format.
- Now click on the format tab.
- Click on numbers.
- Select the date or time anything that you want to enter in your cell.
When you complete these steps, then you just need to enter the date and time in the cell. The format of the cell is now date, time, or anything that you select. Follow these instructions every time. You will never get the wrong subtraction of date and time.
There is one more most important thing to notice. You will get the result of date subtraction in the number of days. Google Sheets will not give the subtraction result in the complete date format like DD/MM/YYYY.
Formulas of Subtraction in Google Sheets
The Formulas is also known as function in the google sheets. Whenever you want to insert any formula in the google sheets then you must need to use the option of function. You can explore all the formulas with the help of the below steps.
How to Insert Formula in Google Sheets
- Select the Cells in which you want to add the formula in Google Sheets.
- Click on the Insert tab.
- Now Click on the Functions option.
- Here, you will get all types of formulas that you can use in google sheets.
- You just need to find and click on that formula to insert in the google sheets.
Whenever you want to insert the new formula in google sheets then follow these easy steps.
How to Use Formula Bar in Google Sheets
A formula bar is also available in the Google Sheets. You can use this formula bar to get the details of the history and editing details of the cell. Click on the cell of which you want to get the details and then the formula bar will show you the details like how this cell was created. This formula bar will show the details like the calculation of the cell by which the value of the cell has come.
You can also do the calculation like subtraction in this formula bar. All you need to do is first click on the cell in which you want the result of subtraction and then just click on the formula bar. You can see your text cursor in the formula bar and also the cell is highlighted in which you want to get the subtraction.
So all this information is for you about the formula bar. Now just go read the formulas that you can use to do the subtraction in Google Sheets.
Subtraction Formulas In Google Sheets
Now let’s talk about the formulas that you can use in the google sheets to subtract anything. There are different formulas of subtraction available in google sheets but only one function is available in google sheets to do the subtraction. The name of the function in ‘MINUS’ But there are lots of tricks also available that we can use to subtract in google sheets. So let’s look at the list of formulas by which we can subtract anything in google sheets.
- =MINUS(a,b)
- =a-b
- =Cell1-Cell2
These are formulas by which you can subtract anything in Google Sheets. Notice that never forget to add the equal sign before starting any type of calculation.
Now you can subtract numerical values, 1 cell from another cell, and date and time everything that you want to subtract. You just need to use these formulas and follow the instructions that we have given in the article.
Tip: If you want to make your google sheet more amazing and informational then you must need to add a heading to it. In Google Sheets, we need to merge the cells to add the headings. If you want to learn how to add headings in google sheets then you can click on the below text.
How to Merge Cells In Google Sheets ← Click on it to read it.
Important information
Subtraction is a process in which we get the difference between two or more variables. Google Sheets can calculate the difference between all types of values. In this article, we covered the information of all types of values and taught you How to Subtract in Google Sheets. We learned almost all that we can subtract in google sheets like How to Subtract date and time, Cells, Rows, and Columns, etc. If you have any queries then you can share it with us. Read the below to know more.
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In the last of the article, I just want to say, I hope that you have learned How to Subtract in Google Sheets quickly. We explained to you all the formulas and tricks that will help you do the subtraction of date and time or rows and columns in google sheets. If you liked this article then please share an article with your friends and colleagues. Now, thanks for reading and keep learning and keep growing.
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