What Is ABS Google Sheets Function?
ABS Google sheets function is used to find the absolute value of a given data. The function provides an absolute, positive number irrespective of the data containing negative or empty cells.
For example, consider the below table showing a negative integer in cell A1.
Now, let us use the ABS function in Google sheets to find the absolute number.
To start with, select the cell where we want to find the result. In this example, it is cell B1. Next, insert the ABS formula in Google sheets and select the cell range or cell reference as argument. In this example, our formula is =ABS(A1).
Press Enter key. We can see the result as shown in the below image.
Likewise, we can use ABS function in Google sheets. In this article, let us learn how to use ABS function in Google sheets with detailed examples.
Table of Contents
Key Takeaways
- ABS function in Google sheets is an inbuilt function that helps users find the absolute values (positive numbers).
- The formula or syntax of ABS function in Google sheets is =ABS(value) where value is the only mandatory argument that denotes the cell reference or the range of cells containing the values.
- The ABS function converts negative numbers into positive values in Google sheets’ spreadsheet.
- For example, if the cell reference has -10, then, ABS Google sheets function returns a positive number as 10.
ABS() Google Sheets Formula
ABS() Google sheets formula or syntax is
=ABS(value)
Where value is the only mandatory argument.
Note that the argument, value denotes the cell reference value or the cell range to be converted into absolute values in Google sheets.
How To Use ABS Google Sheets Function?
In this section, let us learn how to use ABS function in Google sheets to find the absolute values. The steps are:
Step 1: To start with, select the cell where we want to find the result.
Step 2: Next, insert the ABS formula in Google sheets and select the cell range or cell reference as argument.
Step 3: Press Enter key.
We can see the result as shown in the below image.
For example, consider the below table showing mixed values in the cell range A1:A5 respectively.
Now, let us learn how to find the absolute values for the given data.
The steps are:
Step 1: To start with, select the cell where we want to find the result. In this example, it is cell B1.
Step 2: Next, insert the ABS formula in Google sheets.
Next, select the cell range or cell reference as argument.
In this example, our formula is =ABS(A1).
Step 3: Press Enter key.
We can see the result as shown in the below image.
Now, let us find the result in other cells (from cell A2:A5) using the AutoFill option.
As shown in the above image, we can see the result containing absolute values in Google sheets.
Note that the ABS function converts both negative and empty spaces into positive values.
Examples
Let us learn with the detailed examples.
Example #1
For example, consider the below table showing numbers in various formats such as -9, nine and 0.9 in column A.
Now, let us find the result.
The steps are:
Step 1: To start with, select the cell where we want to find the result. In this example, it is cell B2.
Step 2: Next, insert the ABS formula in Google sheets as shown in the below image.
Now, select the cell range or cell reference as argument.
In this example, our formula is =ABS(A2).
Step 3: Press Enter key.
We can see the result as shown in the below image.
Now, let us find the result in other cells (A3 and A4) using the AutoFill option.
As shown in the above image, we can see the result containing absolute values in Google sheets.
Note that the ABS function converts only negative values into positive values. The function does not read text values and returns a #VALUE! Error as shown in the above image. Similarly, the function reads and returns positive numbers (both numeric and decimal values) as such as shown in cell B4.
Example #2
For example, consider the below table showing numbers in various formats such as negative number, empty space, and positive number in column A.
Now, let us find the result.
The steps are:
Step 1: To start with, select the cell where we want to find the result. In this example, it is cell B2.
Step 2: Next, insert the ABS formula in Google sheets as shown in the below image.
Now, select the cell range or cell reference as argument. In this example, our formula is =ABS(A2).
Step 3: Press Enter key.
We can see the result as shown in the below image.
Now, let us find the result in other cells (A3 and A4) using the AutoFill option.
As shown in the above image, we can see the result containing absolute values in Google sheets.
Note that the ABS function in Google sheets converts both negative and empty spaces into positive values.
Example #3
For example, consider the below table showing mixed values such as text, percentage and currency (dollars) in various formats in column A.
Now, let us learn how to use ABS function in Google sheets to find the result.
The steps are:
Step 1: To start with, select the cell where we want to find the result. In this example, it is cell B2.
Step 2: Next, insert the ABS formula in Google sheets as shown in the below image.
Now, select the cell range or cell reference as argument.
In this example, our formula is =ABS(A2).
Step 3: Press Enter key.
We can see the result as shown in the below image.
Now, let us find the result in other cells (A3 and A4) using the AutoFill option.
As shown in the above image, we can see the result containing absolute values in Google sheets.
Note that the ABS function in Google sheets converts only negative values into positive values. The ABS function, does not read text values and returns a #VALUE! Error as shown in the above image. Similarly, the function reads and returns positive numbers (both numeric and percentage values) as such as shown in cell B3.
Also note that the ABS function has returned 3 instead of $3 in cell B4 showing that the function can convert any number with symbols, decimals and fractions but not text.
Important Things To Note
- ABS Google sheets function helps users find the absolute value of the given dataset.
- It is a default function in Google sheets.
- In simple terms, it converts negative numbers in the dataset into positive numbers.
Frequently Asked Questions
For example, consider the below table showing mixed values containing negative values, empty cells and positive values in cell range A1 to A5.
Now, we need to find the absolute values in Google sheets for the given data using ABS Function.
The steps are:
1: To start with, select the cell where we want to find the result. In this example, it is cell B1.
2: Next, insert the ABS formula in Google sheets and select the cell range or cell reference as argument.
In this example, our formula is =ABS(A1).
3: Press Enter key.
We can see the result as shown in the below image.
Likewise, we can find the absolute numbers.
ABS function in Google sheets reads only numeric values and cannot read text or other characters. Therefore, users might get an error when using textual values in ABS function in Google sheets.
As we already know, ABS function in Google sheets helps users find the absolute value in the spreadsheet. This function can convert negative values into positive ones.
In case there is positive value in the spreadsheet, the function returns the same positive value as the result.
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