# How to convert negative numbers to positive in Excel

Use ABS, the absolute value: `=ABS(B2)` turns -1,250.40 into 1,250.40 and leaves positive numbers alone.

**Excel:** `=ABS(B2)` (Every current version)

**Google Sheets:** the same formula works.

## Example

Sample data (row 1 is the header):

| A | B | C |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Account | Change | Size of change |
| Checking | -1250.4 |  |
| Savings | 820 |  |
| Brokerage | -3415.75 |  |
| Credit card | 96.2 |  |
| Loan | -410 |  |

Formula in C2, filled to C6: `=ABS(B2)`

Result: $1,250.40; $820.00; $3,415.75; $96.20; $410.00

## How it works

ABS returns the absolute value: the distance from zero, without a sign. Negative numbers lose their minus sign and positive numbers come back unchanged, so the column shows how big each change was, whichever way it went.

## Other ways

- `=IF(B2<0,-B2,B2)`: Spells out the rule; useful when you want to flip only some rows.
- `=B2*SIGN(B2)`: SIGN returns -1, 0 or 1, so multiplying by it removes the sign.

## Common mistakes

- Multiplying by -1 flips every number, so positives become negative. Only ABS makes everything positive.
- Numbers in parentheses from accounting exports may be text like "(410)". Convert them first, or ABS returns #VALUE!.

## Questions

**How do I get the absolute difference between two numbers?**

Use `=ABS(B2-C2)`.

**How do I make the change permanent without a formula?**

Type -1 in a cell, copy it, select the negative numbers only, and use Paste Special > Multiply.

Every formula and result on this page was checked by running it in the Spreadsheet Practice formula engine on 2026-10-30.

Source: https://spreadsheetpractice.com/formulas/convert-negative-numbers-to-positive