IMSUB Function in Excel: Subtract Complex Numbers

IMSUB Function in Excel: Subtract Complex Numbers 1
⏱ 1 min readUpdated 5 October 2026

Complex numbersLevel: ExpertAvailable in: Excel 2007+

In this article
  1. Syntax
  2. Examples
  3. Example 1
  4. IMSUB in practice
  5. Where you will use it
  6. Worked example
  7. Mistakes people make
  8. Related functions

IMSUB subtracts one complex number from another.

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Syntax

=IMSUB(inumber1, inumber2)
Argument What it means
inumber… Complex numbers as text

Examples

Example 1

=IMSUB(A2,"1-i")

Result: 2+5i. See the worked example table below for more cases.

IMSUB in practice

Where you will use it

  • Series and parallel impedance
  • Ohm's law with phasors
  • Coursework

Worked example

zFormulaResult
3+4i=IMSUB(A2,"1-i")2+5i
1-i=IMSUB(A3,"1-i")0
2i=IMSUB(A4,"1-i")-1+3i

Results calculated in Excel.

Mistakes people make

MistakeWhat to do instead
Number instead of textPlain numbers work as real values, but complex ones must be text
Division by 0#NUM!

COMPLEX · IMABS

📚 Part of the free Excel course: Beginner → Expert · Try it in the Formula Lab or ask the AI Helper.

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