How to Subtract and Display Negative Time in Excel

The Excel file contains information on the time 6 cyclists took to complete a cycling contest. They are ranked in ascending order.

Method 1 – Use the 1904 Date System to Subtract and Display Negative Time in Excel

Step 1:

Click the File tab.

Click Options.

Step 2:

Click Advanced options.

Choose When calculating this workbook.
Check Use 1904 date system.
Click OK.

Negative times will be displayed in the correct format.

Method 2 – Apply the TEXT Function to Display Negative Time in Excel

Step 1:

Enter the following formula in F6.

=IF(D5-D6>=0,TEXT(D5-D6,"mm:ss"),TEXT(ABS(D5-D6),"-H::MM"))

Formula Breakdown:

IF will perform a logical test (D5-D6>=0) to find out if the subtracted time value is positive. If the test returns TRUE, no changes will be made.
If the test returns FALSE, the function will first determine the absolute value of the subtracted time using the ABS feature. The TEXT feature will add a minus (-) in front of the subtracted time value using “-H::MM” as the text format.

Press ENTER and negative time will be displayed in F6.

Step 2:

Use the Fill Handle to drag the formula across the cells you want to fill.

Negative times are displayed in the Corrected Format column:

Method 3 – Using the Combination of TEXT, MAX, and MIN Formulas to Display Negative Time

Step 1:

Enter the following formula in F6.

=TEXT(MAX($D$5:$D$6)-MIN($D$5:$D$6),"-H::MM")

Formula Breakdown:

The MAX function will determine the larger value in the absolute range $D$5:$D$6 whereas the MIN function will determine the smaller one in the same range.
The smaller value in the absolute range $D$5:$D$6 will be subtracted from the larger value in that range.
The TEXT function will then put a minus (-) in front of the subtracted time value using “-H::MM” as the text format.

Press ENTER and negative time will be displayed in F6.

Step 2:

Enter the formula in the rest of the cells.

Note: You cannot drag the fill handle downwards, as we are using the absolute reference ($D$5:$D$6) for the range in both the MAX and MIN functions. The formula must be entered in each cell in the column.

Negative times will be displayed in the Corrected Format column.

Quick Notes

The MAX and MIN functions determine the largest and smallest values in a range. We are determining the larger and smaller values between two cells only. Therefore, cell reference must be absolute ($D$5:$D$6). Otherwise, both functions will throw errors.

Download Practice Workbook

Download this practice book to exercise the task while you are reading this article.

Negative Time in Excel.xlsx