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Tammy1957's avatar
Tammy1957
Copper Contributor
Jan 18, 2020

Excel Subtraction

Good Afternoon,

I have always used =sum(cell name-cell name) for subtracting to cells from each other. Now I am setting up the exact same worksheet in a workbook, just a different year and all I get is a $ and a -. I went to Microsoft help with subtracting two cells and it said there is no subtraction function in Excel. The help gave two different ways one could do subtraction. I tried both and still get a $ and a -. Can anyone help?

Sincerely,

Tammy

5 Replies

  • There is no function to subtract values between... All you need is formula which starts with =

    For example: you have 50 and 30 in cells A1 and B1 respectively.

    All you need to do is, in cell C1, execute: =A1-B1 and press enter.

    You will have 20 in cell C1.

    The SUM function is used to add up numeric values in two or more range..
    For example to add the values in cells A1 and B1 as described above.

    Just deploy =SUM(A1:B1) and click Enter

    You will have 80
    • Tammy1957's avatar
      Tammy1957
      Copper Contributor

      Abiola1 

      Thank you for the response. I entered the formula as you stated, which is the method the Microsoft help suggested. Also, I changed the format to "currency" as I had it set to "accounting". Below is the result of the change. Zero is clearly not the right answer, what do you think could be wrong? I have done this simple spreadsheet for years and never had any problems. 

      5,978.81
      5,171.70
      0.00

      Tammy

      • Abiola1's avatar
        Abiola1
        MVP
        When you apply currency number formating using CTRL + SHIFT + 4 or you click on Currency, the currency in your Regional Settings will be applied. For example $5,978.81

        I will suggest you upload the workbook for verification

  • SergeiBaklan's avatar
    SergeiBaklan
    Diamond Contributor

    Tammy1957 

    If you mean it's something like

    that means you applied accounting or similar format, it shows zero as -

     

    Subtraction is simply

    =A1-B1

    If you wrap by SUM you add nothing to calculation. It works as SUM(value1, value2,...). Thus =SUM(value1) is equivalent of =value1.

     

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