Change negative numbers to positive

Change negative numbers to positive

Generic formula 

=ABS(number)

Related formulas 

Count cells that contain negative numbers

Force negative numbers to zero

Explanation

To change negative numbers to positive and leave positive numbers along (i.e. get absolute values) use the built-in ABS function. In the example shown the formula in C6 is:

=ABS(B6)

How this formula works

The ABS function is fully automatic. All you need to do is supply a number and ABS will return the absolute value.

Convert negative numbers in place

If you only need to convert negative numbers once, you can convert in-place with Paste Special:

  1. Add -1 to a cell and copy to the clipboard
  2. Select the negative numbers you want to convert
  3. Use Paste Special > Values + Multiply

The video on this page shows this technique and many other paste special shortcuts.

Change negative numbers to positive

Generic formula 

=ABS(number)

Related formulas 

Count cells that contain negative numbers

Force negative numbers to zero

Explanation

To change negative numbers to positive and leave positive numbers along (i.e. get absolute values) use the built-in ABS function. In the example shown the formula in C6 is:

=ABS(B6)

How this formula works

The ABS function is fully automatic. All you need to do is supply a number and ABS will return the absolute value.

Convert negative numbers in place

If you only need to convert negative numbers once, you can convert in-place with Paste Special:

  1. Add -1 to a cell and copy to the clipboard
  2. Select the negative numbers you want to convert
  3. Use Paste Special > Values + Multiply

The video on this page shows this technique and many other paste special shortcuts.