Converting negative numbers to positive in Excel

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Ngày cập nhật gần nhất: 15/4/2026

Manually changing negative numbers to positive in Excel seems like a tedious and laborious task, as you have to remove the negative sign from each number individually. However, this article will introduce you to a simple trick to convert negative numbers to positive in Excel effortlessly.

Excel is currently the most popular tool in the fields of computation, statistics, and more. You can utilize various Excel functions to streamline the calculation process. However, converting negative numbers to positive in Excel may appear straightforward, but applying a specific Excel function to accomplish this can be cumbersome. However, with the trick below, this process will become much simpler.

Converting negative numbers to positive in Excel

Step 1: On the data table containing the numbers you want to convert from negative to positive in Excel, type -1 into an empty cell and perform Copy (Ctrl + C) on this number.

Step 2: Then, highlight the cells containing the data that needs to be converted from negative to positive.

Step 3: Right-click, choose Paste Special... ->Paste Special... to display other options.

Step 4: In the Paste Special window, check the box next to Multiply as shown in the image, then press OK to complete. Choosing Multiply will multiply the selected numbers by -1, effectively changing their sign. This trick can help you convert negative numbers to positive in Excel easily.

Here are the outcomes after converting negative signs to positive ones in Excel.

This simple trick to change negative numbers to positive in Excel will swiftly help you switch signs, and you can also reverse the operation to convert positive to negative numbers similarly.

In addition to the above technique, you can also refer to a compilation of string manipulation functions in Excel for easier extraction, conversion of character formats, and text with some Excel functions.

Excel contains various mathematical functions, in addition to computational and string handling functions, it is divided into two types of basic and advanced functions, if basic functions in Excel include MIN, MAX, COUNT .. then advanced functions in Excel include functions like Vlookup, DCOUNTA, DGET ...

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the steps to convert negative numbers to positive in Excel?

To convert negative numbers to positive in Excel, type -1 in an empty cell and copy it. Highlight the cells with negative numbers, right-click, and select 'Paste Special.' Check the 'Multiply' option in the window and click OK. This multiplies the selected numbers by -1, converting them to positive.

Can I use the same method to change positive numbers to negative in Excel?

Yes, you can reverse the process to change positive numbers to negative. Simply follow the same steps, but ensure you have a -1 copied to multiply the positive numbers.

Why is it beneficial to use Excel for mathematical functions and number conversion?

Using Excel for mathematical functions simplifies calculations and data management. It provides numerous functions for basic and advanced tasks, enabling users to perform operations efficiently, such as converting negative numbers to positive with ease.

What is the significance of the Paste Special feature in Excel?

The Paste Special feature in Excel allows users to perform various operations, such as multiplying numbers by a specific value, without altering the original data. It enhances efficiency, especially when converting negative numbers to positive.

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