Then drag the fill handle to the range of cells or you can also double-click the plus sign and copy the formula. Press the Enter key to complete your formula.Įxcel allows subtraction of two columns row by row in the easiest way, to workout this you need to create a formula in the first cell in which you want the operation occurs. Along with it the reference cell is automatically placed in the formula. Select the cell you want to be subtrahend it is the number subtracted. Select the cell you want to be minuend it is the number where the other number is to be subtracted. To start your formula type the equal sign(=) where you want to see the result of subtraction. Here is how to subtract in Excel follow these steps to create yours: The first thing you should remember in creating a formula is to put an equal sign to start the formula.įor instance, to subtract numbers of a cell from another cell use this syntax: =A2-B2 In subtraction, you will use the minus sign (-) formula but you will use cell references instead of actual numbers.