# How to fix negative numbers with a trailing minus sign in Excel

Move the minus to the front: =IF(RIGHT(A2)="-",-VALUE(LEFT(A2,LEN(A2)-1)),VALUE(A2)).

**Excel:** `=IF(RIGHT(A2)="-",-VALUE(LEFT(A2,LEN(A2)-1)),VALUE(A2))` (Every current version)

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

## Example

Sample data (row 1 is the header):

| A | B |
| --- | --- |
| Amount (export) | Number |
| 1,250.00- |  |
| 980.50 |  |
| 75.25- |  |
| 3,400.00 |  |
| 12.00- |  |

Formula in B2, filled to B6: `=IF(RIGHT(A2)="-",-VALUE(LEFT(A2,LEN(A2)-1)),VALUE(A2))`

Result: -1,250.00; 980.50; -75.25; 3,400.00; -12.00

## How it works

Accounting systems often export negatives as "1,250.00-", which Excel reads as text. The IF checks the last character: if it is a minus, LEFT drops it, VALUE converts the rest and the leading minus makes it negative. Other amounts are simply converted with VALUE.

## Other ways

- `=VALUE(IF(RIGHT(A2)="-","-"&LEFT(A2,LEN(A2)-1),A2))`: Rebuilds the text with the minus in front, then converts once.

## Common mistakes

- A space after the minus ("75.25- ") hides it from RIGHT. Use TRIM(A2) in each place.
- Without a formula: Data > Text to Columns > Finish, with "Trailing minus for negative numbers" checked under Advanced.

## Questions

**What about negatives in parentheses, like (1,250.00)?**

VALUE already reads them as negative: `=VALUE(A2)` returns -1250.

**What about a CR suffix for credits?**

Test the last two characters: `=IF(RIGHT(A2,2)="CR",-VALUE(LEFT(A2,LEN(A2)-2)),VALUE(A2))`.

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/fix-trailing-minus-signs