How to Subtract a Percentage in Excel (3 Quick Ways)

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Certainly, calculating percentages is a common task in our day-to-day lives. In countless situations, you may need to subtract a percentage, and this is where Microsoft Excel excels. In this tutorial, we’ll show 3 easy ways to subtract a percentage in Excel. Moreover, we’ll also discuss subtracting a percentage from a number and subtracting a percentage from a column in Excel.

Considering the Percentage of Total and Spent Amount dataset shown in the B4:C13 cells. Here, we have the Total Amount and the Spent Amount in percentages while we want to obtain the Left Amount in percentages. So, without further delay let’s see each method in detail.

Here, we have used the Microsoft Excel 365 version, you may use any other version according to your convenience.

Table of Contents hide

1. Using Formula to Subtract Percentages in Excel

2. Using Excel Formula to Subtract a Percentage from a Value

2.1 Conventional Way

2.2 Advanced Method

3. Using Excel Formula to Subtract a Fixed Percentage from a Value (30%, 10%)

4. Using Paste Special Method to Subtract a Percentage from a Column in Excel

Conclusion

1. Using Formula to Subtract Percentages in Excel

Let’s begin with the simplest and the most obvious method, that is to say, we’ll subtract one percentage value from another using the expression below.

Minuend Percentage – Subtrahend Percentage

where:

The minuend is the number that is to be subtracted from.
Subtrahend is the number that is to be subtracted.

Hence, let us write this expression in Excel.

📌 Steps:

First and foremost, go to the D5 cell >> enter the formula given below.

=B5-C5

Here, the B5 and C5 cells refer to the Total and Spent Amounts respectively.

Now, this returns the Left Amount as 20% >> then, use the Fill Handle Tool to copy the formula into the cells below.

Finally, the results should look like the image given below.

2. Using Excel Formula to Subtract a Percentage from a Value

For our second method, we’ll subtract a percentage value from the usual price of an item. Now, consider the Price List of Cellphones dataset shown in the B4:D13 cells, which shows the Cellphone model, Actual Price in USD, and the Price Decrease in percentage. Here, we want to calculate the Updated Price of the cell phones considering the price cut.

2.1 Conventional Way

Let’s see the conventional way of obtaining the new price after factoring in the price decrease of an item.

📌 Steps:

In the first place, move to the E5 cell >> insert the following expression.

=C5-(D5*C5)

In this expression, the C5 and D5 cells represent the Actual Price and the Price Decrease respectively.

Next, copy the same formula to other cells and your output should look like the picture shown below.

2.2 Advanced Method

Alternatively, there is an advanced method of subtracting a percentage from a price that gives the same results. So, follow the steps shown below.

📌 Steps:

First of all, navigate to the E5 cell and type in the equation given below.

=C5*(1-D5)

In the above equation, the C5 and D5 cells point to the Actual Price and Price Decrease respectively.

Afterward, apply the same formula to the cell below and the output should look like the screenshot given below.

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3. Using Excel Formula to Subtract a Fixed Percentage from a Value (30%, 10%)

Another common scenario involves subtracting a fixed percentage value from a list of given prices. Here, we want to calculate the discounted price of the cell phones, considering a 30% discount on the actual prices. Therefore, let’s see it in action.

📌 Steps:

To begin with, proceed to the D5 cell and type in the expression into the Formula Bar.

=C5*(1-$C$15)

In this case, the C5 cell indicates the Actual Price of the cell phone in USD while the C15 cell refers to the Discount in percentage.

📃 Note: Please make sure to use Absolute Cell Reference by pressing the F4 key on your keyboard.

Eventually, the Updated Prices should look like the image given below.

In a similar fashion, if we change the Discount rate to 10% the results should look like the picture shown below.

2. How to Calculate Variance Percentage in Excel

4. Using Paste Special Method to Subtract a Percentage from a Column in Excel

What if you want to subtract a percentage from an entire column in Excel? Well, you’re in luck because the following section answers this exact question. Here, we’ll subtract a percentage from the actual price to get the new price of the cell phones. Now, allow me to demonstrate the process in the steps below.

📌 Steps:

At the very beginning, proceed to the C16 cell >> insert the equation given below.

=100%-C15

In this instance, the C15 cell points to the 15% Discount.

Now, this calculates the Remaining Percentage value of 85%.

Next, press CTRL + C to copy the Actual Price >> hit the CTRL + V keys to paste the values into the Updated Price column.

Then, copy the Remaining Percentage value >> select the D5:D13 cells >> press the CTRL + ALT + V keys on your keyboard.

In an instant, the Paste Special window appears.

In turn, select the Values and Multiply options >> click the OK button.

Subsequently, the Updated Prices column should look like the image shown below.

Download Practice Workbook

Subtracting a Percentage in Excel.xlsx

Conclusion

Last but not least, we hope this tutorial has provided you with helpful knowledge on how to subtract a percentage in Excel. Now, we recommend you apply all this know-how in the practice dataset by downloading the practice workbook. In addition, feel free to comment and provide your valuable feedback.

How to Subtract a Percentage in Excel (3 Quick Ways)

1. Using Formula to Subtract Percentages in Excel

2. Using Excel Formula to Subtract a Percentage from a Value

2.1 Conventional Way

2.2 Advanced Method

3. Using Excel Formula to Subtract a Fixed Percentage from a Value (30%, 10%)

4. Using Paste Special Method to Subtract a Percentage from a Column in Excel

Conclusion

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