Formula question-formula to subtract multiple cells

I need to make a simple subtraction/addition formula, but it's a tad bit complicated, atleast for me it is since im a novice at this program. I need the formula to subtract multiple cells and then add up the total from those subtracted numbers. Here's an example:

1: 200
2: 190
3: 180
total: 20

but lets say for example the number goes up:

1: 200
2: 190
3: 180
4: 185
total: 15

So the first number is the starting place, whether the following cell numbers go up or down I want it to keep track of the total progress. Any help is appreciated, thank you.

Originally Posted by arrchapman

I need to make a simple subtraction/addition formula, but it's a tad bit complicated, atleast for me it is since im a novice at this program. I need the formula to subtract multiple cells and then add up the total from those subtracted numbers. Here's an example:

1: 200
2: 190
3: 180
total: 20

but lets say for example the number goes up:

1: 200
2: 190
3: 180
4: 185
total: 15

So the first number is the starting place, whether the following cell numbers go up or down I want it to keep track of the total progress. Any help is appreciated, thank you.

If there is nothing else other than your numbers in column A, and they start in A1, then you could use either of the following two formulae:

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If the numbers don't start until to say A5, then you'd need to change the A:A reference to A5:A65536, and obviously the A1 reference in the second formula to A5.

HTH

Cross-posted at http://www.ozgrid.com/forum/showthread.php?t=89118

thats formula worked great, thank you very much.