Hi Joe S,

Another Way is, if you have the ITEM in Cell A1, ESTIMATE in Cell B1,
ACTUAL in Cell C1 & DIFFERENCE in Cell D1, then in Cell D2 Enter the
Formula :-
=IF(B2-C2<0,B2-C2,"")

Hope this Helps.
All the Best.
Paul



Joe S. wrote:
I am building a house, acting as my own general contractor. I am setting up
an Excel spreadsheet to track actual cost versus estimate so I'll know when
I'm running out of money.

I need to set up the spreadsheet with each cost item -- grading, fill,
footers, framing lumber, shingles, etc., etc. I then need to put an entry
for ESTIMATE, ACTUAL, DIFFERENCE. The DIFFERENCE column should conform to
these rules:
-- If ESTIMATE and ACTUAL are equal, nothing should appear in the DIFFERENCE
cell.
-- If ESTIMATE is greater than ACTUAL (that is, if I budgeted more than it
cost), then a positive dollar figure should show in DIFFERENCE.
-- If ESTIMATE is less than ACTUAL (if it cost more than I estimated), then
a negative number should appear in the DIFFERENCE cell (in parens on the
printout, in red on the screen).

For example:
Item Estimate Actual Difference
Fill $500 $475 $25
Form labor $800 $1,000 -$200
Plans $1,200 $1,200
(At this point I will show a total difference of -$175, thus, I will know
that I am $175 over budget.

I can't figure out the formula for the DIFFERENCE cells -- can someone help?

Thanks in advance.

--

-----
Joe S.