Forum Discussion
Formatting Negative Numbers
Brian3302 I'd say you just enter =C1-A1 in B1. That will return 15 in the first example and -15 in the second.
The number that you have calculated is an inherently positive number, equivalent to writing
= ABS(A1 - C1)
It is possible to conditionally format a positive number so that it appears to be negative, but I would not recommend that unless you are trying to falsify the accounts! That would have its problems too.
If you need to see the sign of the difference, leave the formula as
= A1 - C1
and make any necessary adjustments within dependent formulae by using
= ABS(B1) etc.
Thank you for your response. I’m new at this and didn’t understand all of your comments. Here is what I’m trying to do:
Column A Column B Column C
Start Change End
52. 67
I enter =IF(A1>C1, A1-C1,C1-A1) and it returns 15 in Column B
Column A. Column B Column C
67 52
I enter the same formula and it returns 15 in Column B; however this number is negative and needs to be either in parentheses or with a minus sign.
Thank you once again for your assistance.Brian3302 I'd say you just enter =C1-A1 in B1. That will return 15 in the first example and -15 in the second.
