How to change negative numbers to positive in Excel

You can watch a video tutorial here.

Excel is widely used for calculations because of its convenient format and ease of performing arithmetic operations. You may need to convert a single number or a column of numbers from negative to positive. For example, to find the absolute value of a number. 

Option 1 – Using a formula

Step 1 – Create the formula

• Select the destination cell for the negative number
• Enable the cell for editing by pressing F2 or go to the Formula bar
• Type the formula that multiplies the positive value by -1 (minus one)

Step 2 – Copy the formula

• Using the fill handle from the first cell, drag the formula to the remaining cells

OR

1. Select the cell with the formula and press Ctrl+C or choose Copy from the context menu (right-click)
2. Select the rest of the cells in the column and press Ctrl+V or choose Paste from the context menu (right-click)

Option 2 – Using Paste Special

Step 1 – Create the formula

• Enter -1 (minus one) in a cell outside the column
• Select the cell or cells in which the numbers are to be converted to negatives
• Open the Paste Special window by going to Home > Clipboard > Paste or by right-clicking to open the context menu

Step 2 – Multiply by -1

• In the Paste Special window, select Multiply
• Click OK

Step 3 – Check the result

• All values in the column are multiplied by -1 which turns them into negative numbers

Option 3 – Use a function

Step 1 – Enter the formula with the ABS() function

• Select the destination for the changed number
• In the cell type the ABS() function with the cell to be converted

Step 2 – Copy the formula

• Using the fill handle from the first cell, drag the formula to the remaining cells

OR

1. Select the cell with the formula and press Ctrl+C or choose Copy from the context menu (right-click)
2. Select the rest of the cells in the column and press Ctrl+V or choose Paste from the context menu (right-click)