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SUBTRACT Function in Excel

Last Updated : 04 Aug, 2025
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Subtraction in Excel simplifies calculations across numbers, cells, and datasets. Though Excel lacks a dedicated subtract function, its formulas enable efficient math for basic and advanced tasks. Learn step-by-step methods to subtract numbers, matrices, and text effortlessly.

Excel Subtraction Formula

Subtracting two numbers is a common operation. Excel does not have a "subtract" button or function. You can use the Minus sign (-) instead. We'll show you how to use Excel to extract numbers, cells, percentages, dates, and times using simple and easy formulas.

How to Subtract in Excel

Excel has no SUBTRACT function for subtraction. Subtracting two integers requires the minus sign (-). Follow the below steps to know how to subtract in Excel using two values

=number1-number2

To enter the formula in your worksheet, do the following:

Step 1: Type (=) sign in cell

Type the equal sign (=) in the cell.

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Type (=) Equal Sign

Step 2: Type formula like Value1-Value2

Type the first number, then the minus sign, and after that second number.

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Enter the Values

Step 3: Press the enter button

Press the Enter key to apply the formula.

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Press the enter button

How to Subtract Cells in Excel

Learn to subtract values in different cells with a few simple steps

Step 1: Type the equals sign (=)

Start your formula in the cell where you want to output the difference by typing the equals sign (=).

Step 2: Click on the cell containing a number

Select the cell containing the minuend by clicking on it.

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Click on the Cell

Step 3: Type a minus sign (-).

Insert the negative sign (-) after the quantity you want to subtract.

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Type the minus sign(-)

Step 4: Choose the cell with the number to subtract

Click on the cell containing the number to be subtracted to include it in the calculation.

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Choose the Cell to Subtract

Step 5: Press the Enter to Apply

Press the Enter key to complete your formula

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Press the Enter to Apply

How to Subtract Multiple Cells in Excel

You may use three methods to subtract multiple cells from the same cell.

Method 1: Minus sign

To subtract the values in cells A2 through A5 from the value in A1, follow these steps:

=A1-A2-A3-A4-A5

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Using the Minus Sign

Preview Result

You have successfully subtracted multiple cells from one cell in Excel using the minus function.

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Preview the Result

Method 2: Using the SUM Function

Use the result function to add the subtrahends (A2:A5), then deduct the result from the minuend (A1) to make your calculation more compact.

=A3-SUM(A2:A5)

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Using the SUM Function

Preview Result

You have successfully subtracted multiple cells from one cell in Excel using the SUM function.

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Preview Result

How to Subtract two Columns in Excel

Follow these simple steps to subtract one column from another row-by-row:

Step 1: Enter the Subtraction Formula

  • In the first cell of the results column, type the subtraction formula for the topmost cell and press enter.

=A7-B6

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Enter the Subtraction Formula

Step 2: Press Enter

Press Enter to Preview Result

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Press Enter to Preview Result

How To Subtract A Value From An Entire Column

Follow these simple steps to subtract a specific value in a cell from all cells in a column:

Step 1: Select the number to subtract

To subtract a number, you must first choose that number.

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Select the number to subtract

Step 2: Select the cell destination

Select the cell to display the results, such as cell C2.

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Select the cell destination

Step 3: Enter =A3-$B$3 in cell C3.

Type =A3-$B$3 in cell.

This formula subtracts the number in cell B3 from the number in cell A3.

Screenshot-(334)
=A3-$B$3 in cell C3

You have successfully Subtracted a Value from an Entire Column in Excel.

How to Subtract Percentages in Excel

Excel makes it simple to subtract two percentages. Following are detailed steps for using each way to subtract percentages in Excel:

Method 1: Direct Subtraction

Step 1: Enter the Formula

Type the formula like =A% - B%

In the desired cell, type the formula to subtract one percentage from another directly.

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Enter the Formula

Step 2: Press Enter

Press the Enter key to execute the formula and obtain the result. Check the cell to ensure the direct subtraction is reflected in the result.

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Enter the Formula >> Press Enter

Method 2: Subtract the Percentage of different Cells

Step 1: Enter the Percentage value in the cell

Enter the percentage value in separate cells to subtract.

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Enter the Percentage value in the cell

Step 2: Type =A3-B3

Use the minus sign to subtract the percentages in a new cell.

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Type the Formula

Step 3: Confirm subtraction

Check the cell to make sure the subtraction was done correctly.

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Confirm subtraction

Method 3: Subtracting Percentage from a Number

Step 1: Separate the number and percentage to subtract.

Separate the total amount to be subtracted from the total in two separate cells, for example, A2 and B2.

Screenshot-(340)
Separate the number and percentage to subtract

Step 2: Apply Formula =A3 * (1 - B3)

Cut the number by the specified percentage in a new cell using the formula =A3 * (1 - B3) OR you can type the cell number containing values like

= A3*(C3-B3)

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Apply Formula =A3 * (1 - B3)

Step 3: Check the Result

Verify the cell to see if the given percentage has been subtracted from the number.

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Check the Result

Method 4: Using Absolute Reference for Percentage

Step 1: Enter a number (A3) and a percentage (B3).

Put the % in cell B3 and the number into cell A3.

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Enter a number (A3) and a percentage (B3).

Step 2: Enter the formula =A3 * (1 - $B$3)

Enter formula =A3 * (1 - $B$3) in a new cell

This guarantees that the percentage is an absolute reference.

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Enter the formula =A3 * (1 - $B$3)

Step 3: Press enter and check the result

After entering the formula press Enter for result.

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Press enter and check the result

How To Subtract Two Dates in Excel

The easy way to subtract dates in Excel is to enter them in cells and subtract one cell from the other:

Step 1: Enter the two dates in different cells

Enter the dates to subtract in separate cells, for example, A1 and B1.

How to Subtract in Excel
Enter the two dates in different cells

Step 2: Select the cell destination

Choose the cell where you want the result to appear.

How to Subtract in Excel
Select the cell destination

Step 3: Type =B2-A2 in cell and Press Enter.

After selecting the cell type =B1-A1. Change real cell references for B1 and A1. The formula executed by pressing the Enter key. Excel calculates and displays the Difference in the selected cell.

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Type =B2-A2 in cell and Press Enter.

You have successfully learned to subtract Dates in Excel.

How To Subtract Times in Excel

The formula for subtracting time in Excel is simple:

=End_time - Start_time

Step 1: Find the cells with the times to subtract.

Select the cells containing the time value.

How to Subtract in Excel
Select the Cells that contains value

Step 2: Select a cell where you want the result to appear.

Select the cell destination where you want the result to appear.

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Select the Cell where you want the result to appear

Step 3: Type =A3 -B3 and Press Enter

Type =A3 -B3 into the cell that you chose. Substitute the given cell references for the first and second times into Time1.

Screenshot-(349)
Type =A3 -B3

You have successfully learned to Subtract Time in Excel.

How To Subtract Matrices in Excel

You want to take matched numbers from each table of two sets set up like tables. Here's how to do it in Excel.

Step 1: Select empty cells matching table size

Click on a group of empty cells that match the size of your tables.

How to Subtract in Excel
Empty cells matching table size

Step 2: Type =A3:D5 - F3:I5

In the selected cells, type this formula: =A3:D5 - F3:I5

How to Subtract in Excel
type =A3:D5 - F3:I5

Step 3: Press Ctrl + Shift and then Enter

Press Ctrl + Shift + Enter to complete the procedure. Curly braces around the formula will indicate it's an array formula.

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Press Ctrl + Shift + Enter

You have successfully learned to do Matrix Subtraction in Excel.

How to Subtract a Text String in Excel

Subtracting text from one cell to another is a very common work. This has many potential applications, including data extraction and text comparison calculations.

Follow these steps:

Step 1: Open Microsoft Excel

Open the Microsoft Excel in your computer.

Step 2: Select the cells with text

To subtract text from a cell, first find the cell containing the text. Press Ctrl again; choose another cell with the text you wish to remove.

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Select the cells with text

Step 3: Use =SUBSTITUTE(A2, B2, "").

Copy the textual content from Cell B and place it at the quit of what you want Use the SUBSTITUTE technique.

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=SUBSTITUTE(A2, B2, "").

Step 4: Press Enter, check the result

Press Enter and look at the answer when you finish the SUBSTITUTE Formula.

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Press Enter, check the result

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