Google Sheets MINUS Function: Syntax, Examples & Tips

What Is MINUS?

MINUS subtracts one number from another. =MINUS(A2, B2) returns the same value as =A2-B2. Google Sheets has no SUBTRACT function — MINUS is the named form of subtraction.

How MINUS Relates to the - Operator

The minus sign does two jobs in a spreadsheet, and Google Sheets has a separate function for each:

MINUS handles the first case only. Like the other operator functions, it takes exactly two arguments, so to subtract several values from one you need either chained operators (=A2-B2-C2) or a sum: =A2-SUM(B2:D2).

Basic Examples

Simple subtraction

=MINUS(100, 35)

Returns 65.

Profit

=MINUS(B2, C2)

Returns revenue in B2 minus costs in C2.

Days between two dates

=MINUS(B2, A2)

Because dates are serial numbers, subtracting a start date from an end date gives the number of days between them. Format the result as a number, not a date, or you will see an odd date like 1/10/1900.

Time elapsed

=MINUS(C2, B2)

With clock times in B2 and C2, the result is a fraction of a day. Format it as Duration to show hours and minutes.

How MINUS Handles Inputs

• Blank cells are treated as 0. =MINUS(A2, B2) with B2 empty simply returns A2.
• Booleans: TRUE counts as 1 and FALSE as 0.
• Text that can't be read as a number returns #VALUE!.
• Argument order matters: subtraction is not commutative, so MINUS(5, 3) is 2 while MINUS(3, 5) is −2.

Common Use Cases

• Variance analysis: Actual minus budget.
• Profit and margin: Revenue minus cost.
• Inventory: Opening stock minus units sold.
• Date arithmetic: Days remaining until a deadline (=MINUS(E2, TODAY())).
• Change over time: This period minus the previous period.

Common Errors

• Too many arguments: =MINUS(A2, B2, C2) errors. Use =A2-B2-C2 or =MINUS(A2, SUM(B2:C2)).
• Result shown as a date: When you subtract dates, Sheets may inherit date formatting. Change the format to Number.
• Negative time: Subtracting a later time from an earlier one gives a negative fraction, which can display oddly. If the period crosses midnight, use =MOD(C2-B2, 1).
• #VALUE!: An input contains text such as "$1,200 (est.)". Clean the value first.

Tips and Best Practices

• MINUS and - are interchangeable for two values. MINUS can make formulas easier to read aloud in documentation.
• For the absolute difference regardless of order, wrap it: =ABS(MINUS(A2, B2)).
• For the difference between dates in months or years, DATEDIF is more suitable than subtraction.
• To subtract a percentage, multiply instead: =A2*(1-B2).

Related Functions

ADD, MULTIPLY, DIVIDE, UMINUS, SUM, ABS, and DATEDIF.