How to Subtract Two or More Numbers in Excel

Here's a simple guide to subtract two or more numbers in Excel

What to Know

  • The basic subtraction formula is =(cell location) - (cell location).
  • The subtraction sign is denoted by the dash ( - ).
  • More complicated problems need a good understanding of how Excel handles order of operations.

This article covers how to handle simple and complicated subtraction formulas in Excel.

The instructions in this article apply to Excel 2019, Excel 2016, Excel 2013, Excel 2010, Excel for Mac, and Excel Online.

Understand Excel Formulas

To subtract two or more numbers in Excel, create a formula.

The important points to remember about Excel formulas include:

  • Formulas in Excel always begin with the equal sign ( = ).
  • The formula is always typed into the cell where you want the answer to appear.
  • The subtraction sign in Excel is the dash ( - ).
  • The formula is completed by pressing the Enter key.

Use Cell References in Formulas

Although it's possible to enter numbers directly into a formula (as shown in row 2 of the example below), it's usually better to enter the data into worksheet cells and then use the addresses or references of those cells in the formula (see row 3 of the example).

An example of entering cell references in an Excel formula.

When cell references are used instead of the actual data in a formula, the data in the formula can be changed later by replacing the data in the cells. This way, you won't have to rewrite the entire formula. The results of the formula update automatically when the cell data changes.

Another option is to mix cell references and actual data (see row 4 of the example below).

A example of using cell references and numbers in Excel.

Subtraction Formula Example

As shown in the example, the formula in cell D3 subtracts the data in cell B3 from the data in cell A3.

The finished formula in cell D3 is:

=A3-B3

The result when you press Enter is 5, which is the result of 10 - 5.

Point and Click on Cell References

It is possible to type the formula into cell D3 and have the correct answer appear. But, when you use point and click to add cell references to formulas, you'll minimize the possibility of errors that happen when the wrong cell reference is typed.

Point and click involves selecting the cells containing the data with the mouse pointer while you're typing the formula. When you select a cell, that cell reference is added to the formula.

  1. Type the equal sign ( = ) into cell D3 to begin the formula.

  2. Select cell A3 with the mouse pointer to add that cell reference to the formula. The cell reference appears after the equal sign.

  3. Type a minus sign ( - ) after the cell reference.

  4. Select cell B3 to add that cell reference to the formula. The cell reference appears after the minus sign.

    Formula =A3-B3 highlighted on a screenshot of Excel for Mac
  5. Press the Enter key to complete the formula.

  6. The answer 5 appears in cell D3.

  7. Even though the answer to the formula is shown in cell D3, selecting that cell displays the formula in the formula bar above the worksheet.

    Screenshot of Excel in Mac showing 5 in the Results column and =A3-B3 in the formula bar
  8. You now know how to use cell references in an Excel formula.

Change the Formula Data

To test the value of using cell references in a formula, make a change to the number in cell B3 and press Enter. The answer in cell D3 automatically updates to reflect the change in data in cell B3.

A common mistake is selecting outside of the formula cell to leave formula-editing mode. This inserts the selected cell into the formula. Instead, when you're done editing a formula, press Enter to leave formula-editing mode.

Order of Operations (Using Parenthesis)

Excel has an order of operations that it follows when evaluating which mathematical operations to carry out first in a formula.

Excel follows the standard math principles of the order of operations:

  • Anything inside of parenthesis is calculated first.
  • Multiplication and division are performed next.
  • Addition and subtraction are calculated last.

If you prefer to subtract two cells in Excel before multiplication or division, add parenthesis around the subtraction.

In the example, placing A3-B3 inside parenthesis before /A5 subtracts 5 from 10 before dividing by 20.

An example of using parenthesis in Excel to change order of operation.

The result of this formula is 0.25. If the parenthesis were not used in this formula, the result would be 9.75.

Create More Complex Formulas

To expand formulas to include additional operations (such as division or addition) as shown in row seven, continue to add the correct mathematical operator followed by the cell reference containing the new data.

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