this is probably a dumb question, but i can't seem to figure out what
function would give me a return of a positive integer whether or not the
result of the equation is pos or neg. in other words, i am producing a data
series that is the slope of a trail (y2-y1)/(x2-x1) where y is elevation in
feet and x is distance in feet. the result of this equation can either
positive or negative depending onwhether the trail is ascending or descending
for that stretch, but i only want the results in positive integers. how is
that done?

No question is dumb ... :)

Use the ABS function, which returns the absolute value of a number. The
absolute value of a number is the number without its sign.

The syntax is - ABS(Number) - where 'Number' is the real number (ore cell
reference) of which you want the absolute value.

Brett


"JZip" wrote:

this is probably a dumb question, but i can't seem to figure out what
function would give me a return of a positive integer whether or not the
result of the equation is pos or neg. in other words, i am producing a data
series that is the slope of a trail (y2-y1)/(x2-x1) where y is elevation in
feet and x is distance in feet. the result of this equation can either
positive or negative depending onwhether the trail is ascending or descending
for that stretch, but i only want the results in positive integers. how is
that done?

brett,
thanks. i had already found the answer on the formulas page. prob shoulda
looked there first.
are you sure no question is dumb? i'm asked dumb questions in the office
all day. ;)
thanks again,
jeff

"FuadsCurse" wrote:

No question is dumb ... :)

Use the ABS function, which returns the absolute value of a number. The
absolute value of a number is the number without its sign.

The syntax is - ABS(Number) - where 'Number' is the real number (ore cell
reference) of which you want the absolute value.

Brett


"JZip" wrote:

this is probably a dumb question, but i can't seem to figure out what
function would give me a return of a positive integer whether or not the
result of the equation is pos or neg. in other words, i am producing a data
series that is the slope of a trail (y2-y1)/(x2-x1) where y is elevation in
feet and x is distance in feet. the result of this equation can either
positive or negative depending onwhether the trail is ascending or descending
for that stretch, but i only want the results in positive integers. how is
that done?