The subtraction operation in the spreadsheet editor Microsoft Office Excel can be applied both to two specific numbers and to individual cells. In addition, it is possible to subtract the desired values from all cells in a column, row, or other area of the spreadsheet. This operation can be part of any formulas, or it can itself include functions that calculate the values to be decreased and subtracted.
Necessary
Microsoft Office Excel spreadsheet editor
Instructions
Step 1
Click on the cell of the table in which you want to get the result. If you just need to find the difference between two numbers, first let the spreadsheet editor know that the formula will be placed in this cell. To do this, press the key with the equal sign. Then enter the number to be reduced, put a minus, and type the number to be subtracted. The entire record may look like this: = 145-71. By pressing the Enter key, tell Excel that you have finished entering the formula, and the spreadsheet editor will display the difference in the numbers entered in the cell.
Step 2
If it is necessary, instead of specific values, to use the contents of some table cells as the subtracted, decremented, or both numbers, indicate references to them in the formula. For example: = A5-B17. Links can be entered from the keyboard, or by clicking the mouse on the desired cell - Excel will determine its address and place it in the typed formula. And in this case, end the input by pressing the Enter key.
Step 3
Sometimes it is necessary to subtract a number from each cell in a column, row, or specific area of a table. To do this, place the number to be subtracted in a separate cell and copy it. Then select the required range in the table - a column, a row, or even several unrelated groups of cells. Right-click on the selected area, in the context menu go to the "Paste Special" section and select the item, which is also called "Paste Special". Check the box next to the "Subtract" in the "Operation" section of the window that opens, and click the OK button - Excel will decrease the values of all selected cells by the copied number.
Step 4
In some cases, it is more convenient to use functions instead of entering subtraction operations - for example, when the subtracted or subtracted must be calculated using some kind of formula. Excel does not have a special function for subtraction, but it is possible to use the opposite of it - "SUM". Call the form with its variables by selecting the line with its name in the Math drop-down list of the Function Library command group on the Formulas tab. In the Number1 box, enter the value to be decreased or a reference to the cell that contains it. In the Number2 box, type -1 *, and then enter the number to subtract, cell reference, or formula. If necessary, do the same with subsequent lines - they will be added to the form as you fill in the empty fields. Then click OK and Excel will do the rest.
