There's no need to put a sign there at all so the question doesn't really
arise. If you are unsure if a cell is positive/negative and you want the
absolute value whichever it is then it's better to use =ABS(B1).

Mike

"Robert-the-Bruce" wrote:

I figured as much for the - and - issue. What if you are not sure of the
number that will be in the reference cell, and then want the absolute value?
If for example if you had varying data or a formula in B1. You would then not
know whether to put a + or - in A1.
I know this detracts form the original question slightly - just thought it
interesting.
--
Regards
Rob


"Mike H" wrote:

Prefixing with a minus would give the ABS of a negative number.

Say B1 had a value of -5 and in A1 we put the formula =-B1
This would return an answer of 5 because minus/minus is plus

Putting =+B1 in A1 would return -5 following the same math rule noted above.

Mike


"Robert-the-Bruce" wrote:

Some people use only the = sign and some use =+ why would one want to put a +
sign infront of a value? Does this force negative values to positive?
--
Regards
Rob