"Randy" wrote:
Tried using
=sum(abs(range)), which works fine if the blank cells are omitted from the
range. If the blank cells are part of the range the result is "#VALUE!".

You need to enter =SUM(ABS(range)) as an array formula. That is, press with
ctrl-shift-Enter instead of just Enter. At this point, you can select the
cell, press F2, then press ctrl-shift-Enter.

Alternatively, use the formula =SUMPRODUCT(ABS(range)), which is not an
array formula; simply press Enter.


----- original message -----

"Randy" wrote in message
...
The cells in a SUM formula all include formulas that provide the cells
with
negative numbers, positive numbers and blank cells. Need to have the
respective values to be used in another formula as absolute values. Need
to
have the negative values in the range to stay displayed as negatives and
the
blank cells in the range to stay displayed as blank. Tried using
=sum(abs(range)), which works fine if the blank cells are omitted from the
range. If the blank cells are part of the range the result is "#VALUE!".
Is
there something to add to resolve the error message?