Remove a negative sign
| A | |
|---|---|
| 1 | Variance |
| 2 | -12 |
Formula: C2: =ABS(A2)
Result: 12
The magnitude is twelve regardless of direction.
Google Sheets function
ABS in Google Sheets
ABS with worked examples you can test in the live grid. The argument details are in the Excel guide.
In Google Sheets
The arguments and common errors are covered in the ABS Excel guide; check the function help in Google Sheets for its own argument list.
Worked examples in Google Sheets
Positive input
| A | |
|---|---|
| 1 | Variance |
| 2 | 7 |
Formula: C2: =ABS(A2)
Result: 7
A positive number is unchanged.
Absolute difference
| A | B | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Plan | Actual |
| 2 | 100 | 86 |
Formula: D2: =ABS(A2-B2)
Result: 14
The formula measures the gap without labeling it positive or negative.
Try it
A tiny spreadsheet with example data. Edit the formula or any number and see the result.
Formula in D2: =ABS(A4)
| A | B | C | D | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Number | Step | Result | |
| 2 | 1234.567 | 50 | 4.7 | |
| 3 | 17 | 5 | ||
| 4 | -4.7 | 12 | ||
| 5 | 144 | 9 | ||
| 6 | 2.5 | 3 | ||
| 7 | 50 | 12 |
Result in D2: 4.7
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