So, are you saying that you want to subtract the second (row 2) number
if the signs are the same, otherwise add the numbers?

If so, try this in A3:

=IF(A1*A20,A1-A2,A1+A2)

Copy across as required.

Hope this helps.

Pete

On Mar 28, 6:10*pm, wolfman wrote:
Thanks to those who have responded but this example is just one caculation
for a very large spreadsheet where I need to input a formula into the entire
width of row 3 that will handle subtracting row 2 from row 1 no matter what
the sign. In my origional post I forgot to include the other 2 sign
combinations that will be calculated so here are all of them

*Example
* * * * * *A * * * * *B
*1 * * (20.5) * * 17 * * 20 * * (10) * * * * * * Row 1
*2 * * * 1.5 * * * (2) * * 10 * * (5) * * * * * * Minus Row 2
*3 * * *(19) * * * 15 * * 10 * * (5) * * * * * * Equal Row 3



"wolfman" wrote:
I need a formula that will subtract positive numbers from negative numbers
"and" negative numbers from positive, with the answer in the correct form,
ie; positive or negative.

All numbers refer to either a gain or loss in quantity
Row 1 values are taken from one source
Row 2 values are taken from another source
I need a formula for row 3 to give me the total gain or loss represented in
each column.

Example
* * * * * A * * * * *B
1 * * (20.5) * * 17 * * * * * * Row 1
2 * * * 1.5 * * * (2) * * * * * * Minus Row 2
3 * * *(19) * * * 15 * * * * * * Equal Row 3- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -