When it comes to working with data in Google Sheets, one of the most common operations is subtraction. Whether you’re trying to calculate the difference between two values, or subtract a fixed amount from a cell, subtracting cells in Google Sheets is a crucial skill to master. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through the different ways you can subtract cells in Google Sheets, and provide you with the tools and techniques you need to become a pro.
Why Subtract Cells in Google Sheets?
Subtracting cells in Google Sheets is a fundamental operation that can be used in a wide range of scenarios. For example, you might need to calculate the difference between two values, such as the cost of an item before and after a discount. Or, you might need to subtract a fixed amount from a cell, such as calculating the total cost of an order after applying a tax.
In addition to these common scenarios, subtracting cells in Google Sheets can also be used to perform more complex calculations, such as calculating the difference between two dates or times. Whatever the reason, subtracting cells in Google Sheets is a powerful tool that can help you to quickly and easily perform a wide range of calculations.
Basic Subtraction in Google Sheets
The most basic way to subtract cells in Google Sheets is to use the minus sign (-) to subtract one cell from another. For example, if you want to subtract the value in cell A1 from the value in cell B1, you can simply enter the formula =B1-A1 in a new cell.
| Cell A1 | Cell B1 | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | 20 | 10 |
This formula will subtract the value in cell A1 from the value in cell B1 and return the result. You can also use this formula to subtract a fixed amount from a cell, by entering the fixed amount as the second argument. For example, if you want to subtract 5 from the value in cell B1, you can enter the formula =B1-5.
Using Absolute References
When subtracting cells in Google Sheets, it’s often necessary to use absolute references to ensure that the formula refers to the correct cells. An absolute reference is a reference that refers to a specific cell or range of cells, rather than a relative reference that refers to a cell or range of cells relative to the current cell.
To use an absolute reference, you can use the dollar sign ($) to indicate that the reference should be treated as absolute. For example, if you want to subtract the value in cell A1 from the value in cell B1, and you want to ensure that the formula refers to cell A1 regardless of where the formula is copied, you can enter the formula =B1-$A1.
Subtracting Cells with Multiple Values
When subtracting cells in Google Sheets, you may need to subtract multiple values from a single cell. For example, you might need to subtract the cost of multiple items from a total cost, or subtract the value of multiple investments from a portfolio.
In these cases, you can use the SUMIFS function to subtract multiple values from a single cell. The SUMIFS function allows you to sum a range of cells based on multiple criteria. For example, if you want to subtract the cost of multiple items from a total cost, you can use the following formula: (See Also: How to Hide Rows and Columns in Google Sheets? Clean Up Your Spreadsheets)
=SUMIFS(B:B, A:A, “Item 1”) – SUMIFS(B:B, A:A, “Item 2”)
This formula will subtract the cost of “Item 1” from the total cost, and then subtract the cost of “Item 2” from the result. You can also use this formula to subtract the value of multiple investments from a portfolio, by entering the names of the investments in the criteria range.
Using the Array Formula
Another way to subtract cells in Google Sheets is to use the array formula. The array formula allows you to perform calculations on multiple cells at once, by treating the cells as an array rather than individual cells.
To use the array formula, you can enter the formula =ArrayFormula(B:B-A:A) in a new cell. This formula will subtract the values in column A from the values in column B, and return the result as an array.
Subtracting Cells with Dates and Times
When subtracting cells in Google Sheets, you may need to subtract dates and times from each other. For example, you might need to calculate the difference between two dates, or subtract a fixed amount of time from a date.
In these cases, you can use the DATE_SUB function to subtract dates and times from each other. The DATE_SUB function allows you to subtract a date or time from another date or time, and return the result as a date or time.
For example, if you want to calculate the difference between two dates, you can use the following formula:
=DATE_SUB(B1, A1) (See Also: How to Make Google Sheets Drop Down List? Easy Guide)
This formula will subtract the date in cell A1 from the date in cell B1, and return the result as a date. You can also use this formula to subtract a fixed amount of time from a date, by entering the amount of time as the second argument. For example, if you want to subtract 30 days from the date in cell B1, you can use the following formula:
=DATE_SUB(B1, 30)
This formula will subtract 30 days from the date in cell B1, and return the result as a date.
Conclusion
Subtracting cells in Google Sheets is a powerful tool that can be used to perform a wide range of calculations. Whether you’re trying to calculate the difference between two values, or subtract a fixed amount from a cell, subtracting cells in Google Sheets is a crucial skill to master.
In this guide, we’ve covered the different ways you can subtract cells in Google Sheets, including basic subtraction, using absolute references, subtracting cells with multiple values, and subtracting cells with dates and times. We’ve also covered how to use the SUMIFS function and the array formula to subtract cells in Google Sheets.
We hope this guide has been helpful in showing you how to subtract cells in Google Sheets. Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced user, we’re confident that you’ll find this guide to be a valuable resource in your Google Sheets journey.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do I subtract cells in Google Sheets?
A: To subtract cells in Google Sheets, you can use the minus sign (-) to subtract one cell from another. For example, if you want to subtract the value in cell A1 from the value in cell B1, you can enter the formula =B1-A1 in a new cell.
Q: How do I subtract cells with multiple values?
A: To subtract cells with multiple values, you can use the SUMIFS function. The SUMIFS function allows you to sum a range of cells based on multiple criteria. For example, if you want to subtract the cost of multiple items from a total cost, you can use the following formula:
=SUMIFS(B:B, A:A, “Item 1”) – SUMIFS(B:B, A:A, “Item 2”)
Q: How do I subtract cells with dates and times?
A: To subtract cells with dates and times, you can use the DATE_SUB function. The DATE_SUB function allows you to subtract a date or time from another date or time, and return the result as a date or time. For example, if you want to calculate the difference between two dates, you can use the following formula:
=DATE_SUB(B1, A1)
Q: How do I use the array formula to subtract cells?
A: To use the array formula to subtract cells, you can enter the formula =ArrayFormula(B:B-A:A) in a new cell. This formula will subtract the values in column A from the values in column B, and return the result as an array.
Q: How do I use absolute references to subtract cells?
A: To use absolute references to subtract cells, you can use the dollar sign ($) to indicate that the reference should be treated as absolute. For example, if you want to subtract the value in cell A1 from the value in cell B1, and you want to ensure that the formula refers to cell A1 regardless of where the formula is copied, you can enter the formula =B1-$A1.