How to subtract in Google Sheets
Learn how to subtract numbers, cells, and dates in Google Sheets using formulas, the MINUS function, and cell references.
Quick answer
Click an empty cell, type an equal sign, then enter the first number, a minus sign, and the second number—for example =10-4. Press Enter to see the result. For cell references, use =A1-B1 instead of typed numbers. You can also subtract multiple values in one formula, like =A1-B1-C1.
Steps at a glance
- Click the cell where you want the result to appear
- Type an equal sign to start the formula
- Enter the first number or cell reference
- Type a minus sign followed by the second value
- Press Enter to calculate the result
- Drag the fill handle to copy the formula to other rows
Summary
Google Sheets lets you subtract numbers using a simple minus-sign formula, cell references, or the built-in MINUS function. This makes it easy to track budgets, calculate inventory changes, or measure differences between dates without leaving your spreadsheet.
Step-by-step guide
Step 1
Select the cell for your result
Click on an empty cell where you want the subtraction result to appear. This is usually a cell to the right of or below the numbers you're working with.
Step 2
Type the equal sign to start your formula
Every formula in Google Sheets begins with an equal sign (=). Typing this tells Sheets that you're entering a calculation rather than plain text.
Step 3
Enter your values or cell references
Type the first number, followed by a minus sign (-), then the second number. For example, =10-4 subtracts 4 from 10. If your numbers are already in the sheet, use cell references instead, like =A1-B1, so the formula updates automatically if those values change.
Step 4
Press Enter to see the result
After typing your formula, press Enter or Tab. The cell will display the calculated result instead of the formula text.
Step 5
Subtract multiple values in one formula
You can chain several subtractions together in a single cell, such as =A1-B1-C1, to subtract multiple numbers at once. This works the same way you'd combine values with the SUM formula for addition, just with minus signs instead.
Step 6
Use the MINUS function as an alternative
Instead of the minus sign, you can type =MINUS(A1,B1) to get the same result. This function is useful when building formulas that reference subtraction inside larger calculations, similar to how you might structure formulas when you do multiplication across a range.
Step 7
Copy the formula down a column
Click the small blue square (fill handle) in the bottom-right corner of the cell and drag it down to apply the same subtraction formula to other rows. Sheets automatically adjusts the cell references for each row.
Why this matters
You're tracking a budget, comparing sales figures, or calculating remaining inventory, and you need Sheets to do the math instead of a calculator. Once you know how subtraction formulas work, you can apply them across entire columns and get results that update automatically as your data changes.
Frequently asked questions
Can I subtract an entire column at once in Google Sheets?
Yes. Write a formula like =A1-B1 in the first row, then drag the fill handle down to apply it to every row in the column. Each row's formula automatically updates to reference its own cells.
Is there a dedicated SUBTRACT function in Google Sheets?
There's no function literally named SUBTRACT, but the MINUS function works the same way. Typing =MINUS(A1,B1) subtracts the second value from the first, just like using a minus sign.
How do I subtract percentages in Google Sheets?
Enter your base number and percentage in separate cells, then use a formula like =A1-(A1*B1) where B1 holds the percentage as a decimal. This subtracts the percentage amount from the original value.
Why does my subtraction formula return a negative number I didn't expect?
Double-check the order of your values. In =A1-B1, the result is negative if B1 is larger than A1. Swap the cell references if you need the opposite result.
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