Return the absolute value of a number

=ABS(number)

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The absolute value of a number is the number without its sign. Positive remains positive. Negative turns positive.

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ABS is useful when calculating variances, the square root of negative numbers or when building dynamic sentences that require positive numbers.

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ABS and numbers.

In the examples below, the ABS function is applied to positive and negative numbers and calculations.

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Syntax

=ABS(number)

The ABS function consists of 1 argument:

1. number. Required. The value to be converted into an absolute value.

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Try it now!

• Enter your formulas into the grey cells.

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Scope

ABS defines 'the value to convert to an absolute number'.

Positive:	=ABS(2) || result is 2. Positives (and zero) stay positive.
Negative:	=ABS(-2) || result is 2. Negatives turn positive.
Cell reference:	=ABS(C2) || result is the absolute value of the number in cell C2. If cell C2 contains a non-numeric value, #VALUE! is returned.
Formula:	=ABS(C2-D2) || result is the absolute value of the result of subtracting the value in cell D2 from the value in cell C2.

Caveats

• ABS requires a numeric value. Non-numeric values will return #VALUE!.

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Common issues

• #VALUE!: number is not a numeric value.

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Functions Category

• Math & Trigonometry

 

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