ABS function in excel

What is the ABS function in Excel?

The ABSOLUTE (ABS) function is one of the math functions in Excel.

It removes the sign of a number and returns just a positive number.

We can find this function in Math & trig of insert function Tab.

How to use ABS function in Excel

1. Click on an empty cell (like F5).

2. Click on fx icon (or press shift+F3).

3. In the insert function tab you will see all functions.

4. Select math & trig category.

5. Select ABS function.

6. Then select ok.

7. In the function arguments Tab you will see the ABS function.

8. In the number box you must enter 1 number of (-,0,+).

9. If you enter -1 result will be 1.

10. If you enter +1 result will be 1.

11. If you enter 0 result will be 0.

12. You will see results in formula result at the end of function arguments Tab

Examples of ABS function in excel

Example 1:

How to use ABS function in excel

You can see examples of ABS function below:

abs(+3) ----->>>>answer is  3

abs(0) ----->>>>answer is  0

abs(-3) ----->>>>answer is  3

Example 2:

How to plot Y=ABS(X) with python code in excel

we can use Python code for abs function in excel:

import numpy as np

import matplotlib.pyplot as plt

x =np.linspace(-1,+1, 100)

lenx=len(x)

y=[]

for i in range(lenx):     

y.append(abs(x[i]))     

i +=1    

plt.plot(x,y)  

plt.show() 

Example 3:

How can find number’s distance from zero?

ABS(+3) ----->>>>answer is  3

ABS(0) ----->>>>answer is  0

ABS(-3) ----->>>>answer is  3

By ABS function, we can find distance from zero.

Example 4:

How can convert negative number to positive?

By ABS function, we can change negative number to positive.

ABS(-1) ----->>>>answer is  1

ABS(-2) ----->>>>answer is  2

ABS(-3) ----->>>>answer is  3

Purpose of ABS function

It removes the sign of a number and returns just a positive number.

Return value of ABS function

It returns a positive number.

Arguments of ABS function

• The argument of ABS function is number.
• This function has just 1 Argument.
• The argument of ABS function is required and not optional.

ABS(+-number) = +number

Version of excel supports ABS function

This function is available for all excel versions (2007-2019).

Errors in ABS function

If you enter a non-numeric number, the output show #VALUE! or #NAME? error

ABS(a) ----->>>>answer is   #NAME?

ABS("a") ----->>>>answer is  #VALUE!