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

Just add the numbers.

=A1+A2 returns (19)

=B1+B2 returns 15


Gord Dibben MS Excel MVP

On Fri, 28 Mar 2008 10:37:00 -0700, 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

Because your numbers are already "signed" changes, you do not need to
subtract. So in A3 enter =A1+A2
so in B3 enter =B1+B2
--
Gary''s Student - gsnu200776


"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

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

Try this then...

In A3... = ABS(A1)-ABS(A2)

and copy across.

Rick


"wolfman" wrote in message
...
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

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 -

Gord Dibben and ALL,
Just wanted to say "Thank You". Actualy, "Thank You" to everyone who posts! I ALWAYS use the internet,forums, etc/ to find answers to many things. I was stuck on a "SIMPLE" thing in Excel and found your post. It may not seem that the little information is very important but in-fact they help soooooo much. I appreciate ALL the post people do.

Thanks Again!!!
kmaa

Gord Dibben says "you're welcome"

Gord

On Sat, 4 May 2013 06:56:21 -0700 (PDT), wrote:

Gord Dibben and ALL,
Just wanted to say "Thank You". Actualy, "Thank You" to everyone who posts! I ALWAYS use the internet,forums, etc/ to find answers to many things. I was stuck on a "SIMPLE" thing in Excel and found your post. It may not seem that the little information is very important but in-fact they help soooooo much. I appreciate ALL the post people do.

Thanks Again!!!
kmaa