[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off”][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n
The absolute value of a real number is also known as its modulus, magnitude, or numeric value. It represents the number\u2019s distance from zero on a number line without considering the sign. Since it represents a distance, the absolute value is always positive.<\/p>\n
In this guide, you will learn what absolute value is, the symbol used to represent it, and how to find it. You will also learn how to use the ABS function in Google Sheets to find a number\u2019s absolute value. Finally, you will learn how to use the ABS function in combination with other functions.<\/p>\n
If you came here to lock a cell reference with dollar signs, such as $A$1, that is a different feature: see our guide to absolute cell references in Google Sheets<\/a>.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text module_id=”what-is-absolute-value” _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n The absolute value (modulus) of a real number corresponds to its non-negative value, regardless of its sign. It represents the distance from 0 on the number line in either direction. Therefore, the absolute value of -5 and 5 is the same: 5. In other words, the absolute value of a number is always positive.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text module_id=”what-is-the-absolute-value-sign” _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n The absolute value of variable x is |x|, which is read as \u2018mod x\u2019 or \u2018modulus of x\u2019. If the variable in question has a value of -1, its modulus is represented by vertical bars on either side of it: |-1|. Therefore, |-1| represents the absolute value of minus one, which is equal to one: |-1| = 1.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text module_id=”how-to-calculate-absolute-value” _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n Let\u2019s see how to find the absolute value of a number or expression.<\/p>\n The absolute value of a positive number is the number itself, and the absolute value of a negative number is the number without the sign. Therefore, what is the absolute value of -2?<\/p>\n |-2| = 2<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n While the first case is easy, if you’re dealing with an expression containing absolute values, be careful to apply them correctly. In other words, calculate the expression first, then find the absolute value of the result.<\/p>\n |(-2*4)+10| = |(-8)+10| = |2| = 2<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n However, what if the expression looked like this:<\/p>\n (|-2|*4)+10<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n In this case, the absolute value symbols only apply to the first term, not the entire expression. Therefore, the first step is to find the absolute value of that number. After that, you can perform the calculations.<\/p>\n (|-2|*4)+10 = (2*4)+10 = (8)+10 = 18<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text module_id=”how-to-find-absolute-value-in-google-she” _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n Now that you know what absolute value is, it\u2019s time to learn how to find it in Google Sheets.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text module_id=”how-to-use-the-abs-function-in-google-sh” _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n First, let\u2019s get the absolute values of a set of values.<\/p>\n 1.<\/strong> Open Google Sheets to the file containing your data.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/static.sheetgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/absolute-value-google-sheets-set-of-values.webp” alt=”Absolute value in Google Sheets \u2014 Set of Values column with positive and negative numbers and cell B1 selected” title_text=”Set of Values column with positive and negative numbers and cell B1 selected” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n 2.<\/strong> In the cell where you want the absolute value, type in the ABS function.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/static.sheetgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/absolute-value-google-sheets-type-abs.webp” alt=”Absolute value in Google Sheets \u2014 =ABS( typed in cell B2 under Absolute Values with the ABS(value) hint” title_text=”=ABS( typed in cell B2 under Absolute Values with the ABS(value) hint” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n 3.<\/strong> After the opening parenthesis, select the cell containing the number whose absolute value you want. Close the parenthesis and press \u2018Enter\u2019.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/static.sheetgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/absolute-value-google-sheets-abs-a2.webp” alt=”Absolute value in Google Sheets \u2014 =ABS(A2) in cell B2 with cell A2 outlined” title_text=”=ABS(A2) in cell B2 with cell A2 outlined” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n 4.<\/strong> That\u2019s it. You have the absolute value of the first value in the set.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/static.sheetgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/absolute-value-google-sheets-abs-result.webp” alt=”Absolute value in Google Sheets \u2014 cell B2 returns 24, the absolute value of A2″ title_text=”Cell B2 returns 24, the absolute value of A2″ align=”center” _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n 5.<\/strong> To get the absolute values of all the values in your set, grab the fill handle and drag it down to the last value.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/static.sheetgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/absolute-value-google-sheets-fill-down.webp” alt=”Absolute value in Google Sheets \u2014 ABS formula filled down to B16, every negative number now positive” title_text=”ABS formula filled down to B16, every negative number now positive” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text module_id=”absolute-value-formula-examples-in-googl” _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n Follow the steps below to learn to use the ABS function in combination with other formulas and functions.<\/p>\n Let\u2019s see how you can sum the absolute values in a range without having to find the absolute value for each one. To do this, you\u2019ll need to use the ABS, SUM, and ARRAYFORMULA<\/a> functions. To learn more about using formulas and functions in Google Sheets, check out our guide to 100+ functions and formulas for Google Sheets<\/a>.<\/p>\n 1.<\/strong> Open your spreadsheet in Google Sheets.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/static.sheetgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/sum-absolute-values-google-sheets-header.webp” alt=”Sum absolute values in Google Sheets \u2014 Sum of Absolute Values header in C1 with cell C2 selected” title_text=”Sum of Absolute Values header in C1 with cell C2 selected” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n 2.<\/strong> In an empty cell, type in the SUM function as shown below.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/static.sheetgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/sum-absolute-values-google-sheets-sum.webp” alt=”Sum absolute values in Google Sheets \u2014 =SUM( typed in cell C2 with the SUM function hint” title_text=”=SUM( typed in cell C2 with the SUM function hint” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n 3.<\/strong> Right after the opening parenthesis, type in the ARRAYFORMULA function as below.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/static.sheetgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/sum-absolute-values-google-sheets-arrayformula.webp” alt=”Sum absolute values in Google Sheets \u2014 =SUM(ARRAYFORMULA( typed in cell C2″ title_text=”=SUM(ARRAYFORMULA( typed in cell C2″ align=”center” _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n 4.<\/strong> Finally, type in the ABS function after the parenthesis.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/static.sheetgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/sum-absolute-values-google-sheets-abs.webp” alt=”Sum absolute values in Google Sheets \u2014 =SUM(ARRAYFORMULA(ABS( typed in cell C2 with the ABS(value) hint” title_text=”=SUM(ARRAYFORMULA(ABS( typed in cell C2 with the ABS(value) hint” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n 5.<\/strong> Select the range of cells containing the set of values. Remember that you\u2019ll need three closing parentheses: one for each function. Press \u2018Enter\u2019 to see the result.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/static.sheetgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/sum-absolute-values-google-sheets-formula.webp” alt=”Sum absolute values in Google Sheets \u2014 =SUM(ARRAYFORMULA(ABS(A2:A16))) in C2 with A2:A16 outlined” title_text=”=SUM(ARRAYFORMULA(ABS(A2:A16))) in C2 with A2:A16 outlined” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n 6.<\/strong> That\u2019s it. You have the sum of the absolute values of every item in the set.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/static.sheetgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/sum-absolute-values-google-sheets-result.webp” alt=”Sum absolute values in Google Sheets \u2014 cell C2 shows 190, the sum of the absolute values” title_text=”Cell C2 shows 190, the sum of the absolute values” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n Follow the steps below to find the maximum and minimum absolute values in a range of cells. For this example, you will combine the ABS and ARRAYFORMULA functions with the MAX<\/a> and MIN<\/a> functions.<\/p>\n 1.<\/strong> Open Google Sheets to the spreadsheet with your data.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/static.sheetgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/max-absolute-value-google-sheets-header.webp” alt=”Maximum absolute value in Google Sheets \u2014 Maximum Absolute Value header under the sum of 190, cell C5 selected” title_text=”Maximum Absolute Value header under the sum of 190, cell C5 selected” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n 2.<\/strong> To find the maximum absolute value, type in the MAX function in an empty cell.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/static.sheetgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/max-absolute-value-google-sheets-max.webp” alt=”Maximum absolute value in Google Sheets \u2014 =MAX( typed in cell C5 with the MAX function hint” title_text=”=MAX( typed in cell C5 with the MAX function hint” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n 3.<\/strong> Next, add the ARRAYFORMULA function after the opening parenthesis.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/static.sheetgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/max-absolute-value-google-sheets-arrayformula.webp” alt=”Maximum absolute value in Google Sheets \u2014 =MAX(ARRAYFORMULA( typed in cell C5″ title_text=”=MAX(ARRAYFORMULA( typed in cell C5″ align=”center” _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n 4.<\/strong> Finally, add the ABS function.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/static.sheetgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/max-absolute-value-google-sheets-abs.png” alt=”Maximum absolute value in Google Sheets \u2014 =MAX(ARRAYFORMULA(ABS( typed in cell C5″ title_text=”=MAX(ARRAYFORMULA(ABS( typed in cell C5″ align=”center” _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n 5.<\/strong> Select the range of cells with the set of values and remember to close the three sets of parentheses – one for each function.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/static.sheetgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/max-absolute-value-google-sheets-formula.png” alt=”Maximum absolute value in Google Sheets \u2014 =MAX(ARRAYFORMULA(ABS(A2:A16))) in C5 with A2:A16 outlined” title_text=”=MAX(ARRAYFORMULA(ABS(A2:A16))) in C5 with A2:A16 outlined” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n 6.<\/strong> Press \u2018Enter\u2019 to see the result.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/static.sheetgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/max-absolute-value-google-sheets-result.png” alt=”Maximum absolute value in Google Sheets \u2014 cell C5 returns 27 under the sum of 190″ title_text=”Cell C5 returns 27 under the sum of 190″ align=”center” _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n 7.<\/strong> To get the minimum absolute value, you can use the same formula as before and change MAX to MIN.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/static.sheetgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/min-absolute-value-google-sheets-formula.png” alt=”Minimum absolute value in Google Sheets \u2014 =MIN(ARRAYFORMULA(ABS(A2:A16))) typed in cell C8″ title_text=”=MIN(ARRAYFORMULA(ABS(A2:A16))) typed in cell C8″ align=”center” _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n 8.<\/strong> That\u2019s it. You have the sum of the absolute values in the range, as well as the maximum and minimum absolute values.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/static.sheetgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/min-absolute-value-google-sheets-result.png” alt=”Minimum absolute value in Google Sheets \u2014 cell C8 returns 2 below the sum of 190 and the maximum of 27″ title_text=”Cell C8 returns 2 below the sum of 190 and the maximum of 27″ align=”center” _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text module_id=”conclusion” _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n As you have seen, the absolute value of a real number is its magnitude, regardless of its sign. As it represents the distance from zero, the absolute value or modulus of a number is always a non-negative value. However, when you\u2019re dealing with absolute values, you are more likely to need to use them within more complex formulas rather than simply find the absolute value of numbers. Fortunately, this is easy to do using Google Sheets.<\/p>\n You now know what absolute value is, the symbol used to represent it, and how to calculate it. You also know how to find the absolute value of numbers in Google Sheets using the ABS function. Additionally, you have step-by-step instructions on how to use the ABS function in combination with others so that you can perform other operations with absolute values.<\/p>\n Microsoft Excel has the same ABS function, so =ABS(A2) returns the absolute value of cell A2 there as well.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Descubre qu\u00e9 es el valor absoluto, c\u00f3mo calcularlo en Google Sheets con la funci\u00f3n ABS y c\u00f3mo usar ABS con SUM, MAX y MIN.<\/p>","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":264352,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[37],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-264332","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-google-sheets-features"],"acf":[],"permalink_manager":null,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sheetgo.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/264332","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sheetgo.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sheetgo.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sheetgo.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sheetgo.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=264332"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.sheetgo.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/264332\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sheetgo.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/264352"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sheetgo.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=264332"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sheetgo.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=264332"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sheetgo.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=264332"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}What is absolute value?<\/h2>\n
What is the absolute value sign?<\/h2>\n
How to calculate absolute value?<\/h2>\n
Example: What is the absolute value of -2?<\/h3>\n
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Example: What is the absolute value of (-2*4)+10?<\/h3>\n
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How to find absolute value in Google Sheets?<\/h2>\n
How to use the ABS function in Google Sheets<\/h2>\n
Absolute value formula examples in Google Sheets<\/h2>\n
Sum absolute values in range<\/h3>\n
Find maximum & minimum absolute values in range<\/h3>\n
Conclusion<\/h2>\n