Syntax
=ABS(value)
value- The number (or calculation) to make positive.
ABS function in Google Sheets
ABS returns the absolute value of a number, its size without the sign. It's used to measure how far apart two values are regardless of which one is bigger.
Practice ABS
Task 1 of 1
How far off was the forecast, regardless of direction? Return the absolute difference between actual and forecast. Answer in D2.
Tip: while typing a formula, click a cell or drag across cells to insert references. Press Enter to check, and Tab to accept a function suggestion.
ABS examples
Each example below runs against this sample sheet. The results are calculated by the same engine as the practice grid.
| A | B | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Value | Other |
| 2 | -7.45 | 3 |
| 3 | 12.5 | 4 |
| 4 | 81 | 2 |
| 5 | 2.5 | 0 |
| 6 | 1234.567 | 5 |
| Formula | Result | What it shows |
|---|---|---|
=ABS(A2) | 7.45 | Removes the minus sign. |
=ABS(B2 - A5) | 0.5 | Distance between two values, always positive. |
=ABS(A3) | 12.5 | Positive numbers are unchanged. |
Tips and common mistakes
- Great for forecast errors and variances: =ABS(actual - forecast).
- To flag big misses, combine with IF: =IF(ABS(C2-B2) > 100, "Check", "").
Related functions
Learning step by step? ABS is covered in Lesson 32: MEDIAN, MOD, ABS & More Math of the free course.