ABS Function in Excel: Absolute Value (Remove the Minus Sign)

⏱ 1 min readUpdated 28 September 2026

MathLevel: BeginnerAvailable in: Excel 2007+

In this article
  1. Syntax
  2. Examples
  3. Example 1
  4. Example 2
  5. Related functions

ABS returns a number without its sign: −250 becomes 250.

Syntax

=ABS(number)
Argument What it means
number Any number.

Examples

Example 1

=ABS(B2-C2)

Size of a difference, whichever way round.

Example 2

=IF(ABS(B2-C2)<=1, "OK", "Check")

Reconciliation with a ₹1 tolerance for rounding.

ROUND · SIGN · IF

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