
Converts negative numbers to positive numbers, in other words, the ABS function removes the sign.
1. ABS Function Syntax
ABS(number)
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2. ABS Function Arguments
number |
The number you want to remove the sign from. |
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3. ABS Function example

The ABS function converts a negative number to a positive number, in other words, it removes the sign from a number.
Formula in cell C3:
=ABS(B3)
The ABS function returns #VALUE if you use a text string, however, it returns 1 for boolean value TRUE and 0 (zero) for FALSE.
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4. How to convert a negative number to positive numbers and vice versa?

The formula in cell C3 converts negative numbers to positive numbers and positive numbers to negative numbers.
Formula in cell C3:
=B3*-1
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4.1 Explaining formula
Step 1 - Populate cell reference
B3*-1
returns
56*-1
Step 2 - Evaluate formula
56*-1 equals -56.
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5. How to convert all numbers to negative numbers?

Formula in cell C3:
=ABS(B3)*-1
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Explaining formula
Step 1 - Calculate the absolute number
ABS(B3)
becomes
ABS(56)
and returns 56.
Step 2 - Multiple with -1
The asterisk lets you multiply numbers in an Excel formula.
ABS(B3)*-1
becomes
56*-1
and returns -56.
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6. Convert negative numbers to positive and calculate sum

The following formula converts negative numbers to positive and then sums the numbers. 56 + 24 + 20 + 23 + 52 + 70 equals 245.
Formula in cell D3:
=SUMPRODUCT(ABS(B3:B8)*1)
Explaining formula
Excel 365 users can use the following smaller formula:
=SUM(ABS(B3:B8))
Step 1 - Convert to absolute numbers
ABS(B3:B8)
becomes
ABS({56; 24; -20; -23; 52; -70})
and returns
{56; 24; 20; 23; 52; 70}.
Step 2 - Add absolute numbers and return a total
The SUM function adds numbers and then returns a total.
SUM(ABS(B3:B8))
becomes
SUM({56; 24; 20; 23; 52; 70})
and returns 245.
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7. Convert negative numbers to positive and calculate average

The formula in cell D3 removes the negative signs from the numbers in cell range B3:B8 and then calculates an average.
Array formula in cell D3:
=AVERAGE(ABS(B3:B8))
7.1 How to enter an array formula

- Copy the array formula above.
- Double press with the left mouse button on cell D3, a prompt appears.
- Paste it to cell C3, shortcut keys are CTRL + v.
- Press and hold CTRL + SHIFT keys simultaneously.
- Press Enter once.
- Release all keys.
The formula bar shows a beginning and ending curly bracket, don't enter these characters yourself.
7.2 Explaining formula
Step 1 - Convert numbers to absolute numbers
ABS(B3:B8)
becomes
ABS({56; 24; -20; -23; 52; -70})
and returns
{56; 24; 20; 23; 52; 70}.
Step 2 - Calculate an average
The AVERAGE function calculates the average of numbers in a cell range.
AVERAGE(number1, [number2], ...)
AVERAGE (ABS(B3:B8))
becomes
AVERAGE ({56; 24; 20; 23; 52; 70})
and returns approx. 40.83
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8. Convert negative numbers to positive and calculate median

Array formula in cell D3:
=MEDIAN(ABS(B3:B8)*1)
How to enter an array formula
Explaining array formula
Step 1 - Convert to absolute numbers
ABS(B3:B8)
becomes
ABS({56; 24; -20; -23; 52; -70})
and returns
{56; 24; 20; 23; 52; 70}.
Step 2 - Calculate median
The MEDIAN function calculates the median based on a group of numbers. The median is the middle number of a group of numbers.
If the group contains an even number of numbers the MEDIAN function calculates the average of the two numbers in the middle.
MEDIAN(ABS(B3:B8))
becomes
MEDIAN({56; 24; 20; 23; 52; 70})
and returns 38. 52 + 24 equals 76. 76 / 2 equals 38.
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The ABS function function is one of many functions in the 'Math and trigonometry' category.
Converts negative numbers to positive numbers.
Calculates the arccosine, or inverse cosine, of a number.
Calculates the inverse hyperbolic cosine of a number.
Calculates the inverse cotangent of a number.
Calculates the inverse hyperbolic cotangent of a number.
Perform different specific functions to a list or database.
Calculates the arcsine of a number.
Calculates the inverse hyperbolic sine of a number.
Calculates the arctangent of a number.
Calculates the arctangent of an angle using specific x- and y-coordinates.
Calculates the inverse hyperbolic tangent of a number.
Converts a number into a text representation with a given radix (base).
Rounds a number up to its nearest multiple.
Returns the number of combinations for a specific number of elements out of a larger group.
Calculates the number of combinations for a given number of elements from a larger group of elements.
Calculates the cosine of an angle.
Calculates the hyperbolic cosine of a number.
Calculates the cotangent of an angle specified in radians.
Calculates the hyperbolic cotangent of a hyperbolic angle.
Calculates the cosecant of an angle (radians).
Converts a text representation of a number in a given base into a decimal number.
Calculates degrees from radians.
Rounds a number up to the nearest even whole number.
Returns e raised to the power of a number, e equals 2.71828182845904.
Returns the factorial of a number.
Returns the double factorial of a number.
Rounds a number to the specified number of decimals, formats the number in decimal format using a period and commas, and returns the result as text.
Rounds a number down to the nearest integer or to the nearest multiple of significance.
Rounds a number down to the nearest integer or nearest multiple of significance.
Calculates the greatest common divisor that divides all given arguments without a remainder.
Removes the decimal part from positive numbers and returns the whole number (integer) except negative values are rounded down to the nearest integer.
Calculates the least common multiple. The least common multiple is the smallest positive integer that is a multiple of all integer arguments. Use the LCM function to find fractions with different denominators.
Lets you name intermediate calculation results which can shorten formulas considerably and improve performance.
Calculates the natural logarithm of a number. Natural logarithms are based on the constant e.
Calculates the logarithm of a number to a specific base.
Calculates the logarithm of a number using the base 10.
Calculates the inverse matrix for a given array.
Calculates the matrix product of two arrays, an array as the same number of rows as array1 and columns as array2.
Returns the remainder after a number is divided by divisor.
Calculates a number rounded to a given multiple.
Calculates the ratio of the factorial of a sum of values to the product of factorials.
Calculates the identity matrix for a given dimension
Returns the number pi (¶).
Calculates a number raised to a power.
Returns the product of the numbers given in the argument.
Returns the integer portion of a division.
Converts degrees to radians.
Calculates a random real number greater than or equal to 0 and less than 1.
Creates an array of random numbers
Returns a random whole number between the numbers you specify.
Rounds a number based on the number of digits you specify.
Rounds a number down based on the number of digits to which you want to round the number.
Calculates a number rounded up based on the number of digits to which you want to round the number.
Calculates the secant of an angle.
Calculates the hyperbolic secant of an angle.
Creates a list of sequential numbers.
Calculates the sum of a power series based on a formula.
Returns the sign of a number. 1 for a positiv number, 0 (zero) for a 0 (zero) and -1 for a negative number.
Calculates the sine of an angle.
Calculates the hyperbolic sine of a number.
Calculates the positive square root.
Returns a subtotal from a list or database, you can choose from a variety of arguments that determine what you want the function to do.
Allows you to add numerical values, the function returns the sum in the cell it is entered in. The SUM function is cleverly designed to ignore text and boolean values, adding only numbers.
Sums numerical values based on a condition.
Adds numbers based on criteria.
Calculates the product of corresponding values and then returns the sum of each multiplication.
Calculates the sum of the squares of the arguments.
Calculates the sum of the difference of squares of corresponding values in two arrays.
Calculates the sum of the sum of squares of corresponding values in two arrays.
Calculates the sum of squares of differences of corresponding values in two arrays.
Calculates the tangent of an angle.
Calculates the hyperbolic tangent of a number.
Removes the fractional part of the number to an integer.
Excel functions that let you resize, combine, and shape arrays.
Functions for backward compatibility with earlier Excel versions. Compatibility functions are replaced with newer functions with improved accuracy. Use the new functions if compatibility isn't required.
Perform basic operations to a database-like structure.
Functions that let you perform calculations to Excel date and time values.
Let's you manipulate binary numbers, convert values between different numeral systems, and calculate imaginary numbers.
Calculate present value, interest, accumulated interest, principal, accumulated principal, depreciation, payment, price, growth, yield for securities, and other financial calculations.
Functions that let you get information from a cell, formatting, formula, worksheet, workbook, filepath, and other entitites.
Functions that let you return and manipulate logical values, and also control formula calculations based on logical expressions.
These functions let you sort, lookup, get external data like stock quotes, filter values based a condition or criteria, and get the relative position of a given value in a specific cell range. They also let you calculate row, column, and other properties of cell references.
You will find functions in this category that calculates random values, round numerical values, create sequential numbers, trigonometry, and more.
Calculate distributions, binomial distributions, exponential distribution, probabilities, variance, covariance, confidence interval, frequency, geometric mean, standard deviation, average, median, and other statistical metrics.
Functions that let you manipulate text values, substitute strings, find string in value, extract a substring in a string, convert characters to ANSI code among other functions.
Get data from the internet, extract data from an XML string and more.
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Lets you control what a user can type into a cell. It allows you to specifiy conditions and show a custom message if entered data is not valid.
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