negative number division

tmm40

New Member
Joined
Sep 8, 2002
Messages
5
I am dividing two negative numbers from seperate columns,(that come from other sets of formulas in other columns). I would like the result to display as a negative number instead of the current positive result. Any suggestions?

By the way, I have just found this site and I am amazed at the knowledge here!!!
 

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welcome to the board!

simple (but hopefully not facile) solution - multiply the result by -1 ?

Paddy
 
Upvote 0
Thanks for your response Paddy!!
The problem is that some of the columns are also positive, and when they are I would like them displayed as positive. I am not that good at excel, but is there a way I can put an argument that if the columns being divided are negative, then the result is displayed as negative? And if positive the result is displayed as positive?
Hope I am being clear enough! And thanks again for your help!!
 
Upvote 0
what if they're one of each? does it matter if the negative is the denominator or numerator?
 
Upvote 0
The numbers will always be both negative or both positive, as these numbers come from other formulas. It just would make it much easier in this case to have the result show negative or positive the same as the numerator/denominator.

Thanks again!
 
Upvote 0
If both numbers are always either +ve or -ve, you only ever need to check one of them.

something like:

=if((a1<0,(a1/b1)*-1,(a1/b1))

Paddy
 
Upvote 0
Hmmmmm, it made all the sense in the world to me, but excel differs with both of us!!
Here is a copy and paste of the exact cells-

=if((k3<0,(k3/j3)*-1,(k3/j3))

But excel says there is something wrong.
I'll have to look at it tomorrow and see what I am doing wrong. Thanks for your help!!
What a great place you have here!!
 
Upvote 0
I tried that and excel came back with this suggestion-

=IF(K3<0,(K3/J3)*-1,(K3/J3))

and it worked!!!!!!!

Thank you so much Paddy!!! I will be back again I am sure!!!
Have a great night!!
 
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