How to subtract in Google Sheets

Subtract one cell from another with a simple formula, then copy it down the column to get the difference for every row.

Accounting & Finance

5 steps 2 min Community template

Select the empty cell where the difference should appear - here, D2.

docs.google.com/spreadsheets/

Type =B2-C2: an equals sign, the cell to subtract from, a minus sign, and the cell to subtract.

docs.google.com/spreadsheets/

Press Enter to calculate. The cell now shows the difference between the two values.

docs.google.com/spreadsheets/

Drag from D2 down to D5 to select the formula and the cells that should get it.

docs.google.com/spreadsheets/

Press Ctrl + D (Cmd + D on Mac). Every row now shows its own profit.

docs.google.com/spreadsheets/

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