subtract

[Colleen]

Is there a wayto set a function to subtract without using
positive and negative numbers? I want to use lists of
positive numbers as data, then find the difference between
two of those numbers. For instance, F2 - F10 will be
numbers and I want cell M3 to be the difference between
cells f2 and f3, M4 to be the difference between f3 and
f4, etc...so Ican't assign positive and negatives, since
they are all used alternately in each sequence.

Is there a place to download a subtract function patch?


Thank you
Colleen

 

[Biff]

Hi Colleen,

Try this in cell M3 and just copy down as needed:

=ABS(F2-F3)

Biff

 

[Guest]

Biff:

Thanks for the feedback...that actually gives me the
absolute value...I need to get answers with positve and
negative. I guess I should be more specific...

The only way I know how to "subtract" with excel is to
make one set of numbers negative and then use the add
function. Right now, however I am trying to make a weight
tracking program that will track clients' weight from week
to week. They will just plug in their weight and excel
will calculate the difference. I want them to see the
change (be it positive or negative) in another column.

Do you know if there is an actual subtract function?

Thank you for your help..


Colleen

 

[J.E. McGimpsey]

One way:

A1: <prev week's weight>
B1: <this week's weight>
C1: =A1-B1

if you want the + as well as the -, format the cell using

Format/Cells/Numbers/Custom +0;-0;0

 

[J.E. McGimpsey]

Oops - I suspect you want

C1: =B1 - A1

instead.