| A | B | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | = 11 - 2 - 5 | |
| 2 | ||
| 3 |
The simplest type of Excel subtraction formula consists of the = sign, followed by two or more numbers, with the - operator in between them.
For example, to subtract the numbers 2 and 5 from 11, type the following into any Excel cell:
which returns the value 4.
| A | B | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | = B1 - B2 - B3 | 11 |
| 2 | 2 | |
| 3 | 5 |
As with all Excel formulas, instead of typing the numbers directly into your subtraction formula, you can use references to cells containing numbers.
The Excel subtraction formula in cell A1 of the above spreadsheet on the right subtracts the values in cells B2 and B3 (i.e. the values 2 and 5) from the value in cell B1 (i.e. the value 11).
Again, the formula returns the value 4.