5 Ways To Use Subtract Google Sheets Formula

Subtracting values in Google Sheets is a fundamental operation that can be accomplished using the subtraction operator (-) or the SUBTRACT function. The SUBTRACT function is a simple yet powerful tool for performing arithmetic operations within the spreadsheet. In this article, we will explore five ways to use the SUBTRACT Google Sheets formula to enhance your data analysis and calculations.

Performing Basic Subtraction

The most straightforward use of the SUBTRACT function is to subtract one value from another. This can be achieved by using the formula =A1-B1, where A1 and B1 are the cells containing the values you want to subtract. However, using the SUBTRACT function provides a more explicit way of performing subtraction, making your formula more readable and maintainable.

For example, if you have two cells A1 and B1 containing the values 20 and 10, respectively, and you want to find the difference between them, you can use the formula =SUBTRACT(A1,B1). This formula will return the value 10, which is the result of subtracting the value in cell B1 from the value in cell A1.

Using SUBTRACT with Multiple Values

The SUBTRACT function is not limited to subtracting two values. You can use it to subtract multiple values from a single value. To do this, you can list the values you want to subtract, separated by commas, within the SUBTRACT function. For instance, =SUBTRACT(A1,B1,C1) subtracts the values in cells B1 and C1 from the value in cell A1.

Example:

Suppose you have a cell A1 containing the value 50, and you want to subtract the values in cells B1 (20) and C1 (15) from it. You can use the formula =SUBTRACT(A1,B1,C1) to get the result 15.

Subtracting a Percentage

Another useful application of the SUBTRACT function is subtracting a percentage from a value. To do this, you need to first calculate the percentage by multiplying the percentage value by the original value, and then subtract the result from the original value.

Example:

If you have a value in cell A1 (100) and you want to subtract a 25% discount from it, you can use the formula =SUBTRACT(A1,A1*0.25). This formula first calculates 25% of the value in cell A1 by multiplying it by 0.25, and then subtracts the result from the original value in cell A1.

Subtracting Dates

The SUBTRACT function can also be used to subtract dates in Google Sheets. When you subtract one date from another, the result is the number of days between the two dates.

Example:

Suppose you have two cells A1 and B1 containing the dates "2022-01-01" and "2022-01-15", respectively, and you want to find the number of days between them. You can use the formula =SUBTRACT(B1,A1) to get the result 14, which is the number of days between the two dates.

Using SUBTRACT with Arrays

The SUBTRACT function can also be used with arrays in Google Sheets. When you subtract an array of values from a single value, the result is an array of values, where each value in the array is the result of subtracting the corresponding value in the original array from the single value.

Example:

Suppose you have a cell A1 containing the value 10, and an array of values in cells B1:B3 (2, 4, 6), and you want to subtract each value in the array from the value in cell A1. You can use the formula =SUBTRACT(A1,B1:B3) to get an array of values (8, 6, 4), which is the result of subtracting each value in the array from the value in cell A1.

In conclusion, the SUBTRACT function in Google Sheets is a powerful tool for performing arithmetic operations, from basic subtraction to more complex calculations involving multiple values, percentages, dates, and arrays. By mastering the use of the SUBTRACT function, you can enhance your data analysis and calculations in Google Sheets.

Gallery of 5 Ways To Use Subtract Google Sheets Formula