What is the MINUS Function?
The MINUS function in Google Sheets is a straightforward tool used to subtract one number from another. It is particularly useful for performing basic arithmetic operations directly within your spreadsheet. The MINUS function can help you quickly calculate differences between values, making it a handy tool for financial analysis, budgeting, and data comparison.
In simpler terms, MINUS allows you to take two numbers and find out how much smaller one is compared to the other.
A Practical Example
Imagine you are tracking your monthly expenses and income in a Google Sheets document:
Income Table:
| Month | Income |
|---|---|
| January | 3000 |
| February | 2500 |
| March | 2800 |
Expenses Table:
| Month | Expenses |
|---|---|
| January | 1500 |
| February | 1200 |
| March | 1800 |
You want to find out how much money you have left after expenses for each month.
MINUS Formula
To achieve this, you would use the MINUS function as follows:
EXCEL
In this formula:
Income!B2is the cell containing the Income for January.Expenses!B2is the cell containing the Expenses for January.
Result of the Formula
When you apply the MINUS formula to calculate the remaining amount for each month, the output would look like this:
| Month | Income | Expenses | Remaining |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 3000 | 1500 | 1500 |
| February | 2500 | 1200 | 1300 |
| March | 2800 | 1800 | 1000 |
In this case, the MINUS function calculates the remaining amount after expenses for each month.
Why Use MINUS?
MINUS is beneficial because it simplifies the process of performing subtraction in Google Sheets. It allows you to perform calculations without needing to write complex formulas. This makes it easier to analyze your financial data and track your spending.
Key Takeaways:
- MINUS: A simple function that subtracts one number from another.
- Ease of Use: Allows for quick calculations without complex formulas.
- Common Use Cases: Ideal for financial tracking, budgeting, and any scenario where you need to calculate differences between values.
MINUS is an essential function for anyone working with numerical data in Google Sheets, providing a quick and efficient way to perform basic arithmetic operations.
Happy spreadsheeting!