Subtracting in Google Spreadsheets

Techwalla may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. Learn more about our affiliate and product review process here.
Google performs calculations on values in spreadsheet cells.
Image Credit: Stockbyte/Stockbyte/Getty Images

Google spreadsheets handle subtraction similarly to how desktop spreadsheet programs do. They use a formula, which includes the equals ("=") and minus ("-") symbols, to determine the difference between two values. For example, a spreadsheet that handles your company's accounts may subtract the cost of goods sold from sales revenue to calculate gross profit. Google Spreadsheets only differ from Excel spreadsheets in allowing access to the formula from any computer if the Google account user has authorization.

Advertisement

Step 1

Log in to the Google spreadsheet using your Google account.

Video of the Day

Step 2

Identify the cell addresses of the values that your formula must use. For example, if cell B9 states sales revenue and cell B10 states the cost of goods sold, these addresses are "B9" and "B10."

Advertisement

Step 3

Type the following into a blank cell:

=A1-A2

Step 4

Replace "A1" with the address of the value from which you want to subtract. Replace "A2" with the address of the value that you want to subtract. With the above example, change the formula to:

Advertisement

Advertisement

=B9-B10

Step 5

Press "Enter" to calculate the difference between the two values.

Video of the Day

Advertisement

Advertisement

references & resources