Math
ABS
Definition
ABS returns the absolute value of a number, with no sign.
Syntax
=ABS(number)
Arguments
| Argument | Meaning |
|---|---|
number |
The value whose sign to drop, or the cell holding it. |
Worked example
A weather sheet records temperature changes that may be negative. Changes are in B2:B4.
| A: Day | B: Change |
|---|---|
| Mon | -5 |
| Tue | 3 |
| Wed | -1 |
Formula: =ABS(B2)
Result: 5. The sign of -5 is dropped. Filled down, the formula gives 5, 3, and 1.
Practice
Cell A2 holds -8. In B2, write a formula that returns the absolute value of A2.
- In B2, write an ABS formula for A2.
- B2 should show the absolute value of A2.
Step 1 of 2
Enter =ABS(A2) in B2.
A2 is -8, so the absolute value is 8.
Formulas here use English function names, such as SUM, and a period as the decimal separator, in every language.
Loading the sheet…
B2 uses ABS.
B2 now shows 8.
Related functions
MIN and MAX compare signed numbers, so a negative still wins as the lowest. Use ABS first when you want magnitude instead of sign.
Common mistake
Subtracting two readings and keeping the minus: 3-10 is -7, which MIN treats as lower than any positive gap.