Converting Negative Values to Positive Values in Excel3 Methods Reviewed

Written By:
Adiste Mae

This post will cover a topic in Excel that will show how to transform negative numbers into positive ones to speed up your work.

The capability to convert data that is negative into positive may be very useful when it comes to spreadsheet applications, particularly when monitoring progress and in decision-making activities.

Depending on the type of data you are working with, there are several strategies to achieve this goal.

This post will go through a variety of tactics, from basic formulas to conditional formatting, to help you choose the one that best suits your needs.

For the purpose of setting up budgets or monitoring progress, Excel has a way of turning negative values into positive ones.

To do this, follow these steps: 

  1. Go to the Home tab, press the button for Number Format, and click on the cell that has the negative value.
  2. Click on OK after selecting Positive from the dropdown menu in the dialog box for Number Format.

Many of us use spreadsheet software to analyze data that frequently contains enormous quantities of different kinds of numbers, including decimal, binary, and date and time. It’s typical to run across several forms while working with numbers, including division, date, time, and positive and negative. Most of us frequently have to convert these numbers into other forms.

Converting Negative Values to Positive Values by the Removal of the Negative Sign

In Excel, there are various approaches you may use to do this.

You can multiply negative numbers by -1 when you have a single column of numbers and you need to instantly determine the numbers where the negatives were changed to positives.

However, ensure that only the negative numbers are multiplied and not the positive ones. Assume the following dataset as shown below:

The formula in the next section will change the values into negative from positive while maintaining the integrity of all other values.

The formula utilized the IF function to know if a value is either positive or negative. In the event that the value is positive, nothing changes.

If the value is negative, the reference is also given a negative sign, producing only positive numbers.

The method only takes into account negative values and ignores values written in text inside the dataset.

If you no longer need the formula once you’ve achieved the intended result, you can transform these formulas into numbers and duplicate them over the original information.

Using the ABS Function to Convert Negative Numbers to Positive in Excel

There is a function in Excel that is called the ABS function that changes negative signs into absolute values. The ABS function will provide only positive numbers if your dataset contains any negative values. Only the values falling inside the range of positive values will remain intact.

Positive numbers are unaffected by the ABS function, but it transforms negative values into positive ones.

Once the required result has been obtained, the formula may be converted to values and, if necessary, copy the original data.

Using the Paste Special Feature to Change Sign through Multiplication

The Paste Special functionality may be used to modify the sign of a dataset by performing the actions shown below:

  1. Put -1 in a spreadsheet cell that is not empty to get an empty number.
  2. Copy the cell that has the value “-1” highlighted.
  3. Choose any chosen cell by right-clicking on it, then pick the range where you wish to modify the sign. selecting Paste Special. The Paste Special dialog box will appear after this action.
  4. Choose “Values” for the Paste option and “Multiply” for the Operation selection.
  5. Press OK.
  6. From the cell, you can now remove the -1.

Conclusion

In the Excel spreadsheet, changing negative numbers to positive can dramatically improve your perspective and well-being by emphasizing what works.

This shift to positivity can boost satisfaction and create a setting that is more conducive to productivity.

Focusing on the positive aspects of any circumstance and adopting an optimistic outlook may have enormous advantages.

Similarly, a positive attitude change can promote a more productive environment at work.

Employees may foster a more upbeat and dynamic work atmosphere by adopting a growth-oriented mentality and emphasizing possibilities rather than obstacles.