Subtracting Two Columns in Excel

To perform subtraction between two columns in Excel, use the formula =number1 - number2. This basic arithmetic operation can be applied to subtract numbers, percentages, dates, and times across columns.

Subtract Numbers, Percentages, and Dates

For subtracting numeric values, percentages, or dates, simply select the cell where you want the result and enter the formula with the cell references of the two columns you want to subtract. For instance, =A1 - B1 subtracts the value in column B from column A for the first row.

Specifying Order of Operations

Use parentheses to specify the order of operations if your formula includes multiple arithmetic calculations. For example, =(A1 + A2) - (B1 + B2) ensures that the sums of A1 and A2 and B1 and B2 are calculated before subtraction.

Subtracting Multiple Cells

To subtract multiple cells from a single cell, utilize the SUM function in the formula, such as =A1 - SUM(B1:B5), to subtract the sum of a range in column B from a single cell in column A.

Calculating Time Differences

For time differences, the TIMEVALUE function can be used with the basic subtraction formula =End_time - Start_time to calculate the difference between two times.

Array Formulas for Matrices

Subtract matrices using an array formula by inputting the subtraction formula and pressing Ctrl+Shift+Enter to confirm it as an array formula. For example, {=Matrix1 - Matrix2} subtracts one matrix from another.

Subtracting Text Strings

To subtract text strings, apply the SUBSTITUTE and TRIM functions to remove specific text. Then use the TRIM function afterward to clean up any extra spaces in the result.

Comparing Lists

Subtract one list from another by using the IF function to compare elements. This is useful for identifying items in one list that are not present in another.

Common Use Cases

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  Calculating the monthly profit by subtracting expenses from revenue
• 
  Determining inventory change by subtracting the ending inventory from the starting inventory
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  Assessing the total hours worked in a week by subtracting the start time from the end time for each day
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  Comparing budgeted amounts to actual expenditures for cost control
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  Analyzing year-over-year sales growth by subtracting the previous year’s sales from the current year’s sales

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