=A2-A1 if answer is negative =A1-A2

[dixon1983]

Hi,
Can anyone help with this?
I would like to put a formulae in a cell that calculates A2-A1 but if the answer returned is negative to calculate A1-A2.

Can this be done??

Thanks in advance

 

[yee388]

Glen, you're right. I was forgetting that he wanted to reverse the subratction to always get a positive result.

I was going by his example of:

=ABS(A1-A2)+1 doesnt return the same value as (A2-A1)+1

Where A1 is say, 10, and A2 is 5.

ABS(10-5)+1 = 6
(5-10)+1 = -4

I forgot he wanted to switch the order of subraction in the 2nd example when the result is negative.

Sorry... need to get my brain in gear.

 

[dixon1983]

Apologies.....

The formulae I actually had was =ABS(A1-A2+1). The ABS was in an IF function and all the brackets confused me.... I didnt realise the +1 was still inside the ABS brackets....

Thanks again for all your help.
Sorry for causing arguments