Force negative numbers to zero

Force negative numbers to zero

Generic formula 

=MAX(value,0)

Related formulas 

Change negative numbers to positive

Count cells that contain negative numbers

Cap percentage at specific amount

Explanation

To force negative numbers to zero without affecting positive numbers, you can use a formula based on the MAX function. In the example shown, the formula in D5 is:

=MAX(C5-B5,0)

How this formula works

This formula takes advantage of the fact that the MAX function works fine with small sets of data — even two values.

Inside MAX, the value in B5 is subtracted from the value in C5. If the result is positive, MAX will return the result as-is, since positive numbers are always greater than zero.

If the result if negative, MAX will return zero.

Replacement for IF

This formula is a clever way to avoid a more complicated IF formula. You can use the MIN and MAX functions to replace IF when you want to return the smaller or greater of two values.

Force negative numbers to zero

Generic formula 

=MAX(value,0)

Related formulas 

Change negative numbers to positive

Count cells that contain negative numbers

Cap percentage at specific amount

Explanation

To force negative numbers to zero without affecting positive numbers, you can use a formula based on the MAX function. In the example shown, the formula in D5 is:

=MAX(C5-B5,0)

How this formula works

This formula takes advantage of the fact that the MAX function works fine with small sets of data — even two values.

Inside MAX, the value in B5 is subtracted from the value in C5. If the result is positive, MAX will return the result as-is, since positive numbers are always greater than zero.

If the result if negative, MAX will return zero.

Replacement for IF

This formula is a clever way to avoid a more complicated IF formula. You can use the MIN and MAX functions to replace IF when you want to return the smaller or greater of two values.