Understanding how to perform subtraction in Google Sheets is a fundamental skill for anyone working with spreadsheets. Whether you’re calculating financial statements, analyzing data, or simply keeping track of expenses, the ability to subtract values accurately is essential.
Overview
This guide will walk you through the different methods for performing subtraction in Google Sheets, from basic arithmetic operations to more advanced formulas. We’ll cover:
Basic Subtraction
Learn how to subtract two numbers directly using the minus sign (-).
Using the MINUS Function
Explore the MINUS function, which provides a more explicit way to subtract values.
Subtraction in Formulas
Discover how to incorporate subtraction into more complex formulas for advanced calculations.
How to Do Minus in Google Sheets
Google Sheets, like a traditional spreadsheet, allows you to perform mathematical operations, including subtraction. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to subtract values in Google Sheets.
Using the Minus Operator (-)
The simplest way to subtract in Google Sheets is to use the minus operator (-). Just type the minus sign between the two numbers you want to subtract.
For example, to subtract 5 from 10, you would enter: 10 – 5
Subtracting with Formulas
You can also use formulas to subtract values. Formulas begin with an equal sign (=). Here’s the general syntax: (See Also: How To Insert Date Range In Google Sheets)
= number1 – number2
Let’s say you have the following values in your spreadsheet:
- Cell A1: 15
- Cell A2: 7
To subtract the value in A2 from A1, you would enter the following formula in another cell:
=A1-A2
This formula will calculate 15 – 7 and display the result, which is 8.
Subtracting from a Range of Cells
You can also subtract values from a range of cells. For example, if you have a list of numbers in cells A1 to A5, and you want to subtract 3 from each number, you could use the following formula:
=A1:A5-3 (See Also: How To Autofill In Google Sheets Without Dragging)
This formula will subtract 3 from each cell in the range A1 to A5.
Using the MINUS Function
Google Sheets also has a dedicated MINUS function that performs subtraction. The syntax is:
=MINUS(number1, number2)
This function works exactly the same as the minus operator (-). For example:
=MINUS(10, 5)
will return 5.
Recap
This guide covered various methods for performing subtraction in Google Sheets. You learned how to use the minus operator (-), formulas, and the MINUS function. Remember that formulas are essential for performing calculations on data in spreadsheets.
Frequently Asked Questions: Minus in Google Sheets
How do I subtract numbers in Google Sheets?
To subtract numbers in Google Sheets, simply use the minus sign (-) between the two numbers. For example, to subtract 10 from 20, you would enter “=20-10” in a cell.
Can I subtract cells from each other?
Yes, you can subtract the values of cells from each other. For example, to subtract the value in cell A1 from the value in cell B1, you would enter “=B1-A1” in a cell.
What if I want to subtract a constant from a range of cells?
You can use the MINUS operator with the SUM function to achieve this. For example, to subtract 5 from each cell in the range A1:A10, you would enter “=SUM(A1:A10)-5” in a cell.
Is there a shortcut key for subtraction in Google Sheets?
Unfortunately, there isn’t a dedicated shortcut key for subtraction in Google Sheets. However, you can quickly type the minus sign (-) on your keyboard and then enter the numbers or cell references.
Can I use parentheses to change the order of operations in subtraction?
Yes, parentheses can be used to control the order of operations in Google Sheets, just like in standard mathematics. For example, to subtract 5 from 10, then subtract the result from 20, you would enter “=20-(10-5)” in a cell.