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Minus symbol in SUM function

Gopinath Raghav

New Member
Is it possible to use a Minus symbol inside a SUM function?
Example: =SUM(B-A)

This doubt occurred when my boss instructed to enter the formula as given above. Is there any hidden functioning in SUM function like these?

Please clarify
 
The formula only has any point if A and B are arrays. In which case A-B returns an array of differences and summing will aggregate the result.
= SUM(A - B)
gives the same result as
= SUM(A) - SUM(B)
or
= SUMA, -B)

p.s. Depending upon your version of Excel you may need to commit the first formula with Ctrl+Shift+Enter
 
I have seen a lot of people do this =Sum(B2-A2)
who have learnt the Sum formula before understanding what ranges and formulas are

As described above =SUM(B2-A2) is exactly equivalent of =B2-A2
the Sum function isn't needed

Peter Bartholemew's description of using named formula is also true, if named formula are used
 
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