Subtraction is a fundamental operation that eventually helps us overcome many numerical challenges. However, handling a continuous stream of numbers requiring subtraction can be a little daunting. In WPS Office, mastering the subtraction formula becomes a powerful tool, streamlining your numerical tasks. In this guide we'll explore the Spreadsheet formulas for subtraction in WPS Office, empowering you to confidently handle numerical challenges..
Simple Spreadsheet Formula for Subtraction of Numbers
Subtraction of Two Values
Performing subtraction between two values is the simplest task to do in the WPS Office Spreadsheet. Here's how you can do it:
Consider a scenario where I want to calculate my age. I have the current year in cell A2 and my birth year in cell B2.
Step 1: Initiate the process by clicking on an empty cell, for example, C2, similar to Excel formula for subtraction.
Step 2: Proceed by commencing the function with "=": the equal sign.
Step 3: Select the initial cell; in our example, this pertains to the current year.
Step 4: Insert the subtraction sign, followed by selecting the second cell, representing my birth year.
Step 5: Upon pressing “Enter”, WPS Office seamlessly executes the subtraction, providing the result in cell C3.
Subtraction of One Value
If you follow the method mentioned above, you would not have set absolute references for your cells. Absolute reference ensures that specific cell references remain constant when copying formulas, offering stability and precision in your calculations. Suppose I want to determine the ages of myself and my friends, having their birth years listed in column B. The current year, located in cell G4, remains constant. Here's how to perform this Excel formula for subtraction of two cells in WPS Office:
In column A, we have a list of my friends' names, and in column B, their respective birth years. Cell B11 contains the unchanging current year.
Step 1: Click on an empty cell, and insert the "=" sign to begin your Excel function.
Step 2: Now, select the cell from which you want to calculate the difference, we will be using the current year in cell B11.
Step 3: To make this cell an absolute reference, press the F4 key. Observe the "$" signs added before, after, and in the middle of your selection, indicating the establishment of an absolute reference.
Step 4: Now, insert the subtraction sign and select the cell you want to subtract from your initial selection, B2, containing the birth year.
Step 5: Press “Enter”, and the first age will be calculated. Utilize the “Autofill” handle to populate the remaining cells with age.
This is where the absolute reference works its magic. If you don't set an absolute reference, when autofilling, your cell selection would go from G4 to G5, causing an error in your answer. WPS Office simplifies these calculations, making them much easier for users. Understanding the capabilities of WPS Office enhances the calculation experience.
Subtraction of Multiple Values
In scenarios with multiple values, we can employ the SUM function nested within the original subtraction function. Consider a situation where you want to calculate total sales, excluding the sales from the first 6 months, follow these steps:
Step 1: Locate an empty cell for the calculation, and initiate the function by entering the equal sign.
Step 2: Select the first value, which in our example is the Total Sales.
Step 3: Introduce the subtraction sign and commence the SUM function. Simply type 'sum' and press "Tab" on your keyboard to choose the Sum function.
Step 4: For the SUM function's argument, select the range corresponding to the first 6 months in our case, and then press “Enter”.
Step 5: That's it! The process is straightforward, and your results will appear in the selected cell.
This demonstrates how WPS Office facilitates basic subtraction functions, even when dealing with multiple values.
Spreadsheet Formula for Subtraction of Dates
Using the DATEDIF function:
You can utilize the DATEDIF function in WPS Office to subtract dates, particularly when today's date is greater than the date you are subtracting. Let's say you want to find the total length of a project using the DATEDIF function.
Step 1: In an empty cell, start with the equal sign, type DATEDIF, and press Tab to select the function in WPS Office.
Step 2: The first input is Start_Date. Select the cell containing the project's start date.
Step 3: For the second argument, choose the End_Date cell, representing the project's end date.
Step 4: The final argument indicates the difference you want (D for days, M for months, Y for years). Enter "D" enclosed in inverted commas.
Note: Ensure the third argument is enclosed in inverted commas to avoid errors.
Using the DATE function:
The DATE function in WPS Office can be used in two ways:
Subtracting Two Dates:
Step 1: In an empty cell, insert the equal sign, type DATE, and press Tab to select the function.
Step 2: Manually enter the three arguments: the year (e.g., 2023), month (e.g., 12 for December), and day (e.g., 6).
Step 3: Insert the subtraction sign and enter another DATE function with the start date's arguments (Year, Month, Day).
Step 4: Press Enter, and WPS Office will subtract the two dates to display the result.
Subtracting X Number of Days from a Date:
Step 1: Insert the DATE function in an empty cell.
Step 2: Enter the year, month, and day of the end date.
Step 3: Close the parenthesis and insert a subtraction sign.
Step 4: Enter the number of days you want to subtract (e.g., 45) and press Enter.
Step 5: Right-click on the cell, choose "Format Cells".
Step 6: Select the Number tab, choose the desired date format by going to the Date category, and press OK.
WPS Office's simplicity and ease of use make working with functions like DATEDIF and DATE straightforward and efficient.
Spreadsheet Formula for Subtraction of Percentage
The Excel formula for calculating percentage change is expressed as:
Percentage Change = (New Value- Old Value)/Old Value
Step 1: Open Microsoft Excel and navigate to the cell where you want the result to appear. Let's assume you want the result in cell C1.
Step 2: Enter the formula in cell C1 using the following syntax:
= (A2-B2) / B2
Replace A1 and B1 with the actual cell references or values you are comparing. This formula calculates the percentage change between the old value (A2) and the new value (B2).
Step 3: Press Enter to execute the formula, and you'll see the percentage change displayed in cell C1.
Step 4: After entering the formula and getting the result in decimal form, go to the "Home" tab in the Excel ribbon.
Step 5: In the "Number" section, look for the percentage symbol (%) or click on the dropdown menu to choose "Percentage”.
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FAQs
Q1. How do you subtract based on condition in Excel?
We can utilize the IF function in Excel, which enables users to establish specific conditions for performing actions. For instance, if we wish to subtract two cells, but only when the value in cell B2 is greater than that in A2, we can employ the IF function to implement this condition.
Let's proceed with the steps:
Step 1: Navigate to cell C2 to initiate the IF function.
Step 2: In the first argument, we define the condition. In this case, the condition is straightforward: the value in cell B2 should be greater than the value in A2.
Step 3: The next argument specifies what Excel should execute if the condition is met. We desire subtraction if the value in B2 is greater.
Step 4: If the condition is not met, the desired outcome is "Not possible". Ensure that the text is enclosed in double quotation marks.
Q2. What is the formula for subtracting one cell from another cell if text criteria in a third cell is met?
The formula for subtracting one cell from another based on a text criteria in a third cell is expressed using the IF function. For example:
=IF(C1="Apples", A1-B1, "")
This formula checks if the value in C1 is "Apples". If it is, it performs the subtraction of the values in A1 and B1; otherwise, it displays a blank cell. This allows for a conditional subtraction based on the specified text criteria.
Q3. What is the formula for subtracting a column?
You can utilize this step-by-step guide to subtract a column in Excel using a formula:
Step 1: Click on the cell where you want the answer to be.
Step 2: Type =column1 - column2 into the box. Replace "column1" and "column2" with the letters of the columns you want to subtract. For instance, if you want to subtract column B from column A, type =A-B.
Step 3: Press the Enter key. Your answer will appear in the cell you selected earlier.
Ensure that the columns being subtracted contain numerical values. In case of any text or non-numeric data, the formula may not yield accurate results, leading to potential errors.
Master Subtraction in WPS Office: A 2023 Guide on Formulas and Functions
Whether you're tackling financial transactions, data analysis, or any scenario requiring subtraction, our instructions on spreadsheet formula for subtraction in WPS Office ensure you gain the confidence to adeptly handle numbers and values. Life is a series of calculations, and with WPS Office, you'll seamlessly navigate the subtractive intricacies, making the journey smoother and more manageable. Download WPS Office today and make your data handling easy, fun, and remarkably efficient.
