Minus symbol in SUM function

[Gopinath Raghav]

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

 

[AlanSidman]

It seems to work.

 

[Fluff13]

There is no need for the sum function, you can just do
=B2-A2

 

[Peter Bartholomew]

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

 

[Hui]

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