How to Subtract Weeks From a Date in Excel (2025 Guide)

In this article, we will show you how to subtract weeks from a date in Excel. Simply follow the steps below.

Subtract Weeks From a Date Excel

To subtract weeks from dates, we will work with a dataset containing event names in Column A, start dates in Column B, and the number of weeks to subtract in Column C. Follow the steps below:

1. Click on the Result Cell to Input the Formula

Select an empty cell where you want to perform your date calculation. This cell should be away from other data to avoid any confusion. In our example, we will select cell D2.

2. Type the Formula to Subtract Weeks from the Start Date

In cell D2, we will enter =B2-7*C2 (here, B2 refers to the start date and C2 refers to the number of weeks to subtract). We use this formula to determine the new start dates for our events and projects by subtracting the specified number of weeks.

3. Press Enter to Calculate the New Date

After typing the formula in your chosen cell, press Enter. We will now see that our new date in cell D2 reflects the date adjusted backward by the specified weeks.

4. Apply the Formula to Other Dates

To apply this calculation to other dates in your list, click on your chosen cell where your formula is located, then drag the fill handle (the small square in the bottom right corner of the cell) down through that column. 

This action copies the formula to the other cells, automatically adjusting the references to compute new dates for all listed events or projects.

We hope that you now have a better understanding of subtracting weeks from a date in Excel. If you enjoyed this article, you might also like our articles on how to subtract a month in Excel and how to subtract two cells in Excel.