The Excel ABS function returns the absolute value of a number — the distance from zero, always positive. It strips the sign off negatives and leaves positives unchanged.
Syntax
| Argument | Description | |
|---|---|---|
number | Required | The number whose absolute (unsigned) value you want. |
How to use it
ABS removes the minus sign from a number: negatives become positive, positives stay the same, and zero stays zero.
The most common use is measuring the size of a difference regardless of direction — for example, how far an actual figure is from a target, whether it came in over or under: =ABS(actual - target).
Pair ABS with SIGN. Any number equals SIGN(n) * ABS(n). ABS gives you the magnitude; SIGN gives you the direction (-1, 0, or 1).
Try it: interactive demo
Pick a ABS example to see the formula and its result.
Practice workbook
Frequently asked questions
What does ABS do to a positive number?
How do I find the difference between two numbers ignoring sign?
=ABS(A1-B1). This returns the gap as a positive number whether A1 or B1 is larger.Does ABS work on text or dates?
What is the difference between ABS and SIGN?
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