I need a formula to subtract a negative from a positive #.
Ex. I have =I3-H3 in the cell but H3 is negative and I3 is positive and it
is adding them instead of just displaying the difference.

1. Start by typing the positive number in a cell, such as cell I3.
2. Type the negative number in another cell, such as cell H3. Make sure to include the negative sign before the number.
3. In a third cell, type the formula to subtract the negative number from the positive number. For example, you can type "
   Formula:

   =I3-H3 

   " in cell J3.
4. Press Enter to calculate the result. The cell J3 should now display the difference between the positive and negative numbers.
   
   If the formula is adding the positive and negative numbers instead of subtracting them, it's likely because the negative number is in parentheses. To fix this, you can remove the parentheses or use the ABS function to convert the negative number to a positive number before subtracting it. Here's how:
   
5. Remove the parentheses from the negative number in cell H3. For example, change "-(5)" to "-5".
6. Alternatively, you can use the ABS function to convert the negative number to a positive number. To do this, type "
   Formula:

   =I3-ABS(H3) 

   " in cell J3.
7. Press Enter to calculate the result. The cell J3 should now display the difference between the positive and negative numbers, regardless of whether the negative number is in parentheses or not.

Any time you subtract a negative, it is the same as adding a positive.
=I3-H3, assuming I3=7, and H3=-4
=7-(-4) or 7+4, which =11.
If you want the H column to show a negative value, you could use the formula
of
=I3+H3, or =7+(-4), =7-4, =3
If, however, you want H to have a value that is subtracted, i.e.: H3 is now
4, vice -4, then you could leave the formula as =I3-H3
--
John C


"csanta" wrote:

I need a formula to subtract a negative from a positive #.
Ex. I have =I3-H3 in the cell but H3 is negative and I3 is positive and it
is adding them instead of just displaying the difference.

Hi,

H3 = -6
I3 = 6

Your formula
=I3-H3
Gives me 12. What do you get? What do you expect to get?

Mike


"csanta" wrote:

I need a formula to subtract a negative from a positive #.
Ex. I have =I3-H3 in the cell but H3 is negative and I3 is positive and it
is adding them instead of just displaying the difference.

To subtract a negative number from a positive one, add the two values.

If cell A1 has the value of 123 and cell A2 has the value of -23 then adding
the two together will produce the value of 100


--
Kevin Backmann


"Mike H" wrote:

Hi,

H3 = -6
I3 = 6

Your formula
=I3-H3
Gives me 12. What do you get? What do you expect to get?

Mike


"csanta" wrote:

I need a formula to subtract a negative from a positive #.
Ex. I have =I3-H3 in the cell but H3 is negative and I3 is positive and it
is adding them instead of just displaying the difference.

In article , ?B?TWlrZSBI?= wrote:
Hi,

H3 = -6
I3 = 6

Your formula
=I3-H3
Gives me 12. What do you get? What do you expect to get?

I admit I was a little concerned when I saw this question. Are there really
people using XL without knowing at least a little basic maths ?
Doubly concerning IMO if you define using a spreadsheet as "programming" ...
to which it bears remarkable similarities, particularly in the likely number
of errors found. :)


"csanta" wrote:

I need a formula to subtract a negative from a positive #.
Ex. I have =I3-H3 in the cell but H3 is negative and I3 is positive and it
is adding them instead of just displaying the difference.