How to subtract on Google Sheets

How to subtract on Google Sheets

One of the foremost useful things that you simply simply can do with Google Sheets, is mathematics. Whether you're simply wanting to solve basic math problems, or whether you've calculations that need to be performed on a gaggle of data , doing math during a Google spreadsheet is extremely easy if you recognize the right symbols to use.

To do math during a Google spreadsheet, follow these steps:

Type an sign during a cell (=)

Type a number, or a cell reference (of a cell that contains a number)

Then use one of the next mathematical operators + (Plus), – (Minus), * (Multiply), / (Divide)

Type another number or cell reference

Press enter

In this article i'm going to show you ways to undertake to to math during a Google Spreadsheet, by using ordinary numbers and cell references… which i also will show you the difference between mathematical functions, and mathematical operators.

Here are the mathematical formulas in Google Sheets:

Addition formulas in Google Sheets

Add by using cell references

=A1+A2

Add numbers, without cell references

=100+200

Add by using the ADD function

=ADD(100,200)

Sum formula in Google Sheets

=SUM(A1:A7)

Subtraction formulas in Google Sheets

Subtract by using cell references

=A1-A2

Subtract numbers, without cell references

=700-300

Subtract by using the MINUS function

=MINUS(700,300)

Multiplication formulas in Google Sheets

Multiply by using cell references

=A1*B1

Multiply numbers, without cell references

=10*7

Multiply by using the MULTIPLY function

=MULTIPLY(10,7)

Division formulas in Google Sheets

Divide by using cell references

=A1/B1

Divide numbers, without cell references

=100/5

Divide by using the DIVIDE function

=DIVIDE(100,5)

Square formulas in Google Sheets

Square by using cell references

=A1^2

Square numbers, without cell references

=2^2

Square numbers using the power function

=POWER(2,2)

=POW(2,2)

Square root formulas in Google Sheets

Square root by using cell references

=SQRT(A1)

Square root numbers, without cell references

=SQRT(9)

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Spreadsheet math: Functions Vs. Operators

If you're new using Google Sheets formulas, it are often very tempting to use the mathematical functions like =Add, =Subtract, =Minus, =Divide… and these functions do work… but it's much easier and more common to use spreadsheet operators when doing Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, and Division in Google Sheets (and squaring too).

Some of these mathematical operators (listed below) are very intuitive, like Plus (+) and Minus (-), however not all all super obvious, just like the symbol/operator multiplication, which you'll think would be the letter "x"… but is basically an asterisk (*).

For summing and square rooting, functions are required for doing this type of math problem instead of operators.

Mathematical spreadsheet operators

Plus sign (+) ~ Addition

Minus sign (-) ~ Subtraction

Asterisk (*) ~ Multiplication

Forward Slash (/) ~ Division

Carrot (^) ~ Exponent

Mathematical spreadsheet functions

=ADD( ~ Addition

=MINUS( ~ Subtraction

=MULTIPLY( ~ Multiplication

=DIVIDE( ~ Division

=SUM( ~ Summing

=POWER( ~ Exponent / Power

=SQRT( ~ root 

Order of operations during a spreadsheet

The order of operations that's taught in normal math classes, also apply during a Google Spreadsheet. the only because of confirm that you simply simply simply r mathematical formulas are solved within the order that you expect, is to use more parentheses to isolate your needed numbers/terms

The order of operations during a spreadsheet goes as follows:

P (Parentheses)

E (Exponents)

M (Multiplication)

D (Division)

A (Addition)

S (Subtraction)

Here is an example of how the order of operations applies to a math problem:

=(6-3)+2^2/4*4-1

=(3)+2^2/4*4-1

=(3)+4/4*4-1

=(3)+1*4-1

=(3)1

=7-1

=6

Using plain numbers vs. cell references

While fixing math formulas in your Google spreadsheet, you'll type numbers directly into the formula, otherwise you furthermore may can ask a cell that features variety inside it…. otherwise you'll use a mix of the two where needed.

The big advantage to using cell references in your formulas, is that you simply simply can easily change the quantity inside the cell, and thus the quantity in your formula… without having to vary the formula itself. this is often often made even more useful once you've got multiple formulas that use the same cell reference.

Whether you need to type the numbers directly into the formula, or if you need to enter the numbers into cells then ask those cells in your formula… all depends on your specific task. If you plan to vary variety quite frequently, then it is best to use a cell reference. But if you're applying a unbroken in your formula which can not change, it's getting to be better just to type the quantity within the formula.

There are several samples of this shown below with images included, but here could also be a fast explanation of using cell references vs. plain numbers in mathematical spreadsheet formulas.

Doing spreadsheet math by using only numbers

For example, if you wanted to undertake to to a simple math problem, using Google Sheets kind of a calculator, you'll type something a bit like the subsequent into a cell:

=27/3

This will display an answer of "9", within the cell.

Spreadsheet math using cell references

But if you'd like you'll also enter the numbers into cells, and do math by concerning those cells. A cell reference could also be a letter followed by a number… the letter refers to the column, and thus the amount refers to the row. So as an example if you wanted to "refer" to a cell in your formula, you'd type the reference or cell address, which again is that the column letter followed by the row number. therefore the very first cell during a spreadsheet, in column A and row 1, as cell A1.

If you entered the quantity "27" into cell A1, and thus the amount "3" into cell B1, you'll use the next formula within the other cell:

=A1/B1

This will also display an answer of "9" within the cell.

Using a mixture of numbers and cell references to undertake to to math

In many cases you'll be wanting to use cell references and numbers, like this.

=A1/3

This will also provides a solution of "9", assuming that the quantity "27" is entered into cell A1.

Applying formulas to multiple cells quickly

You will probably want to be able to apply calculations in your spreadsheet to multiple cells easily and quickly, then i might wish to means you two ways of doing this. (The final examples during this lesson will demonstrate both of these methods with an image included).

Option 1: After entering a math formula during a cell, copy and paste the cell/formula into the cell(s) below, and thus the formula are getting to be copied into each individual cell. If there are cell references in your formula, they go to regulate automatically as they're copied into the rows below.

Click here to seek out out the thanks to quickly copy formulas down an entire column.

Option 2: you'll also use the ARRAYFORMULA function to make your mathematical formulas apply to multiple cells. With ARRAYFORMULA, you'll apply one formula to multiple cells or an entire column.

How to add in Google Sheets

Let's begin with the varied ways to feature in Google Sheets. I'll show you ways to feature by using ordinary numbers, also as by using cell references, then I'll show you ways to feature quite two cells together.

To add in Google Sheets simply type an sign during a cell (=), then type the numbers or cells (reference) that you simply simply want to feature , separated by a symbol (+), then press enter. Here are three samples of addition formulas:

=25+25

=A1+25

=A1+B1

Adding numbers

The formula below doesn't have any cell references, and simply uses plain numbers to undertake to to math in Google Sheets, quite like employing a calculator.

Pick any cell in your sheet, type the formula below, and ten press enter.

=100+200

The cell should display an answer of "300", as shown below.

An example of adding numbers in Google Sheets, without cell references

Adding cells with numbers

Now let's add by using cell references. instead of typing numbers directly into our formula, now we are concerning cells that have numbers inside them, and telling the formula to feature the numbers that are in those cells.

Follow these steps to feature in Google Sheets:

Click on cell A1, then type the quantity "100", then press enter

Click on cell A2, then type the quantity "200", then press enter

Click on cell A3, then type "=A1+A2", then press enter

Cell A3 should now display an answer of "300"

Formula shown below: =A1+A2

An example of adding in Google Sheets by concerning cells that contain numbers

Adding multiple cells

You can also add quite two cells together in your spreadsheet. Simply continue typing the cell references that you simply simply want to feature , separated by plus signs, then press enter when your formula is complete.

After typing a symbol , or the opposite mathematical operator for that matter, you'll also click on the cell that you simply simply want to ask rather than having to type the reference.

Formula shown below: =A1+A2+A3+A4+A5+A6+A7

An example of adding multiple cells in Google Sheets, by concerning cells during one column | Content created by SpreadsheetClass.com

Adding multiple non-adjacent cells

If the cells that you simply simply are adding together are beat the same column or row, the only because of add them is by "summing" them, which ready to |i'll"> i will be able to be able to show you in just a moment… but when the cells that you simply simply are adding aren't adjacent, this is often often when adding multiple, individual cells becomes extremely useful.

If your sheet has numbers entered in varying locations that you simply simply want to feature together, you'll do so by employing a formula like one that's shown within the instance below.

Formula utilized in example: =A1+B2+C3

An example of adding multiple cells in Google Sheets, by concerning non-adjacent cells from varying columns and rows

Using the ADD function to feature 

Using the ADD function to feature is way less common and fewer useful than using the sign operator, but here is an example that shows the thanks to use it just just in case you've a requirement for it.

Formula shown below: =ADD(100,200)

An example of using the ADD function to feature numbers in Google Sheets

 

How to sum in Google Sheets

The SUM function may be a particularly useful formula which can allow you to sum entire rows, columns, or specified ranges.

To sum in Google Sheets, begin by typing "=Sum(", then type the range of cells that you simply simply want to sum, as an example "B1:B100", A closing parentheses ")", then press enter.

Let's say that you simply simply simply simply have a column of numbers that you want to feature , but you are doing not want to possess to possess an extended formula that adds many individual cells. this is often often where you'd use the SUM function.

To total an entire column during a Google spreadsheet, do either of the following:

Use the cell at the very best of the column to enter a formula like this, which sums all of the cells below it: =SUM(C1:C)

Or use a cell that's below the range that you simply simply want to sum, and enter a formula that contains the range of cells that are above it. In other words, as an example if your SUM formula is in cell C100, then to sum the numbers in column A that are above your formula, confirm you specify an ending row within the range that's but 100, like this: =SUM(C1:C99)

Formula shown in example image below: =SUM(A1:A7)

A basic example that shows the thanks to sum in Google Shetes, by using the SUM function to sum a quick list of numbers in column A

Note: If the house in your sum formula contains the cell that your formula is entered in, it'll cause a circular dependency error.