Sum - show negative number?

If I highlight several numbers in a column, Excel will indicate the
sum. But it always shows that sum as a positive number, even if it's
actually negative. Is there any way to change this behavior?

Hi,

Are you talking about the sum in the status bar. It does display the sum
as negative number as well.

Govind

Steve wrote:
> If I highlight several numbers in a column, Excel will indicate the
> sum. But it always shows that sum as a positive number, even if it's
> actually negative. Is there any way to change this behavior?

Govind <adgraj1@indiatimes.com> wrote:
>> If I highlight several numbers in a column, Excel will indicate the
>> sum. But it always shows that sum as a positive number, even if it's
>> actually negative. Is there any way to change this behavior?

>Are you talking about the sum in the status bar. It does display the sum
>as negative number as well.

Yep, the status bar. As an example, entered -600 in one cell and +500
in the next. The status bar says Sum=100.

Just played around with this a bit - apparently Excel does not
recognize numbers in red as negative, unless they're also in
parentheses - in spite of the fact that cell formatting provides the
option of unadorned red numbers to indicate negatives. This must be
some sorta bug?

Excel does not per se recognise any format as negative numbers, it
recognises negative numbers by the fact that they are less than 0, either
entered as less than zero, or as a result of a calculation. Red, and/or
parentheses are just a way of showing a number in the visual presentation of
that cell. You could just as easily format positive numbers with parentheses
as you could negative numbers.

--

HTH

RP
(remove nothere from the email address if mailing direct)


"Steve" <msv@ods.inv> wrote in message
news:qeb0e11jvttsavaf73q66a4h45u5o41l0f@4ax.com...
> Govind <adgraj1@indiatimes.com> wrote:
> >> If I highlight several numbers in a column, Excel will indicate the
> >> sum. But it always shows that sum as a positive number, even if it's
> >> actually negative. Is there any way to change this behavior?
>
> >Are you talking about the sum in the status bar. It does display the sum
> >as negative number as well.
>
> Yep, the status bar. As an example, entered -600 in one cell and +500
> in the next. The status bar says Sum=100.
>
> Just played around with this a bit - apparently Excel does not
> recognize numbers in red as negative, unless they're also in
> parentheses - in spite of the fact that cell formatting provides the
> option of unadorned red numbers to indicate negatives. This must be
> some sorta bug?
>

"Bob Phillips" <bob.phillips@notheretiscali.co.uk> wrote:
>> >> If I highlight several numbers in a column, Excel will indicate the
>> >> sum. But it always shows that sum as a positive number, even if it's
>> >> actually negative. Is there any way to change this behavior?
>>
>> >Are you talking about the sum in the status bar. It does display the sum
>> >as negative number as well.
>>
>> Yep, the status bar. As an example, entered -600 in one cell and +500
>> in the next. The status bar says Sum=100.

>> Just played around with this a bit - apparently Excel does not
>> recognize numbers in red as negative, unless they're also in
>> parentheses - in spite of the fact that cell formatting provides the
>> option of unadorned red numbers to indicate negatives. This must be
>> some sorta bug?

>Excel does not per se recognise any format as negative numbers, it
>recognises negative numbers by the fact that they are less than 0, either
>entered as less than zero, or as a result of a calculation. Red, and/or
>parentheses are just a way of showing a number in the visual presentation of
>that cell.

That makes perfect sense - so it must mean that Excel is not capable
of showing the color red in the status line? And therefore, without
formatting the cell to include the minus sign or parentheses, there's
no way to tell whether the Sum is positive or negative?

Not really, if you have your values showing as red with no negative sign
that is a conscious choice you have made when selecting the formats for
those cells and Excel respects it. Why would you then expect Excel to put a
negative sign in when using the status bar. If you make your format such
that it has a negative sign as well as being red then Excel will provide a
negative sign in the status bar. Your problem stems from the fact that the
status bar does not have the facility to show a red font.

--
Regards
Ken....................... Microsoft MVP - Excel
Sys Spec - Win XP Pro / XL 97/00/02/03

------------------------------*------------------------------*----------------
It's easier to beg forgiveness than ask permission :-)
------------------------------*------------------------------*----------------


"Steve" <msv@ods.inv> wrote in message
news:qeb0e11jvttsavaf73q66a4h45u5o41l0f@4ax.com...
> Govind <adgraj1@indiatimes.com> wrote:
>>> If I highlight several numbers in a column, Excel will indicate the
>>> sum. But it always shows that sum as a positive number, even if it's
>>> actually negative. Is there any way to change this behavior?
>
>>Are you talking about the sum in the status bar. It does display the sum
>>as negative number as well.
>
> Yep, the status bar. As an example, entered -600 in one cell and +500
> in the next. The status bar says Sum=100.
>
> Just played around with this a bit - apparently Excel does not
> recognize numbers in red as negative, unless they're also in
> parentheses - in spite of the fact that cell formatting provides the
> option of unadorned red numbers to indicate negatives. This must be
> some sorta bug?
>

"Ken Wright" <ken.wright@NOSPAMntlworld.com> wrote:
>Not really, if you have your values showing as red with no negative sign
>that is a conscious choice you have made when selecting the formats for
>those cells and Excel respects it. Why would you then expect Excel to put a
>negative sign in when using the status bar. If you make your format such
>that it has a negative sign as well as being red then Excel will provide a
>negative sign in the status bar. Your problem stems from the fact that the
>status bar does not have the facility to show a red font.

Ok, thanks, that explains it (posted my last message before I saw this
explanation). Of course, it would be nice if there was some kinda
warning or explanation when choosing that cell format option. And
even better if the status bar was capable of showing the color red.

Steve <msv@ods.inv> wrote:
>"Ken Wright" <ken.wright@NOSPAMntlworld.com> wrote:
>>Not really, if you have your values showing as red with no negative sign
>>that is a conscious choice you have made when selecting the formats for
>>those cells and Excel respects it. Why would you then expect Excel to put a
>>negative sign in when using the status bar. If you make your format such
>>that it has a negative sign as well as being red then Excel will provide a
>>negative sign in the status bar. Your problem stems from the fact that the
>>status bar does not have the facility to show a red font.
>
>Ok, thanks, that explains it (posted my last message before I saw this
>explanation). Of course, it would be nice if there was some kinda
>warning or explanation when choosing that cell format option. And
>even better if the status bar was capable of showing the color red.

One reason I like to use plain red is that it makes the numbers easier
to read, without the parentheses. A second-best option would be red
with a negative sign. But that doesn't appear to be possible...

If I selected my cells, then ctrl-clicked on an empty cell (general format),
then the statusbar showed the sum in general format.

Maybe you could try it as a workaround.

Steve wrote:
>
> If I highlight several numbers in a column, Excel will indicate the
> sum. But it always shows that sum as a positive number, even if it's
> actually negative. Is there any way to change this behavior?

--

Dave Peterson

Dave Peterson <petersod@verizonXSPAM.net> wrote:
>> If I highlight several numbers in a column, Excel will indicate the
>> sum. But it always shows that sum as a positive number, even if it's
>> actually negative. Is there any way to change this behavior?

>If I selected my cells, then ctrl-clicked on an empty cell (general format),
>then the statusbar showed the sum in general format.
>Maybe you could try it as a workaround.

Sounds good, but I just tried it, and there was no change in the
status bar sum. Must be doing something wrong...

I just tried it again (I use xl2003) and when I hit that ctrl-click on the empty
cell, the number on the statusbar changed from 2 to -2 (it was negative all the
time).



Steve wrote:
>
> Dave Peterson <petersod@verizonXSPAM.net> wrote:
> >> If I highlight several numbers in a column, Excel will indicate the
> >> sum. But it always shows that sum as a positive number, even if it's
> >> actually negative. Is there any way to change this behavior?
>
> >If I selected my cells, then ctrl-clicked on an empty cell (general format),
> >then the statusbar showed the sum in general format.
> >Maybe you could try it as a workaround.
>
> Sounds good, but I just tried it, and there was no change in the
> status bar sum. Must be doing something wrong...

--

Dave Peterson

Dave Peterson <petersod@verizonXSPAM.net> wrote:
>> >> If I highlight several numbers in a column, Excel will indicate the
>> >> sum. But it always shows that sum as a positive number, even if it's
>> >> actually negative. Is there any way to change this behavior?
>>
>> >If I selected my cells, then ctrl-clicked on an empty cell (general format),
>> >then the statusbar showed the sum in general format.
>> >Maybe you could try it as a workaround.
>>
>> Sounds good, but I just tried it, and there was no change in the
>> status bar sum. Must be doing something wrong...

>I just tried it again (I use xl2003) and when I hit that ctrl-click on the empty
>cell, the number on the statusbar changed from 2 to -2 (it was negative all the
>time).

I'm using xl2000, maybe that's why it doesn't work?

I'm using XL2000 here and it works.

--

HTH

RP
(remove nothere from the email address if mailing direct)


"Steve" <msv@ods.inv> wrote in message
news:nvk4e1dcrn74ig6soqv28eftkqsqlaupdt@4ax.com...
> Dave Peterson <petersod@verizonXSPAM.net> wrote:
> >> >> If I highlight several numbers in a column, Excel will indicate the
> >> >> sum. But it always shows that sum as a positive number, even if
it's
> >> >> actually negative. Is there any way to change this behavior?
> >>
> >> >If I selected my cells, then ctrl-clicked on an empty cell (general
format),
> >> >then the statusbar showed the sum in general format.
> >> >Maybe you could try it as a workaround.
> >>
> >> Sounds good, but I just tried it, and there was no change in the
> >> status bar sum. Must be doing something wrong...
>
> >I just tried it again (I use xl2003) and when I hit that ctrl-click on
the empty
> >cell, the number on the statusbar changed from 2 to -2 (it was negative
all the
> >time).
>
> I'm using xl2000, maybe that's why it doesn't work?
>

I really don't know where you come up with them from <g>

Bob


"Dave Peterson" <petersod@verizonXSPAM.net> wrote in message
news:42E0E980.B1A1DD1E@verizonXSPAM.net...
> If I selected my cells, then ctrl-clicked on an empty cell (general
format),
> then the statusbar showed the sum in general format.
>
> Maybe you could try it as a workaround.
>
> Steve wrote:
> >
> > If I highlight several numbers in a column, Excel will indicate the
> > sum. But it always shows that sum as a positive number, even if it's
> > actually negative. Is there any way to change this behavior?
>
> --
>
> Dave Peterson

Thanks, er, I think. <vbg>

Bob Phillips wrote:
>
> I really don't know where you come up with them from <g>
>
> Bob
>
> "Dave Peterson" <petersod@verizonXSPAM.net> wrote in message
> news:42E0E980.B1A1DD1E@verizonXSPAM.net...
> > If I selected my cells, then ctrl-clicked on an empty cell (general
> format),
> > then the statusbar showed the sum in general format.
> >
> > Maybe you could try it as a workaround.
> >
> > Steve wrote:
> > >
> > > If I highlight several numbers in a column, Excel will indicate the
> > > sum. But it always shows that sum as a positive number, even if it's
> > > actually negative. Is there any way to change this behavior?
> >
> > --
> >
> > Dave Peterson

--

Dave Peterson

It's a compliment. Off the wall thinking <bg>

Bob


"Dave Peterson" <petersod@verizonXSPAM.net> wrote in message
news:42E18D2D.F2D0C1D9@verizonXSPAM.net...
> Thanks, er, I think. <vbg>
>
> Bob Phillips wrote:
> >
> > I really don't know where you come up with them from <g>
> >
> > Bob
> >
> > "Dave Peterson" <petersod@verizonXSPAM.net> wrote in message
> > news:42E0E980.B1A1DD1E@verizonXSPAM.net...
> > > If I selected my cells, then ctrl-clicked on an empty cell (general
> > format),
> > > then the statusbar showed the sum in general format.
> > >
> > > Maybe you could try it as a workaround.
> > >
> > > Steve wrote:
> > > >
> > > > If I highlight several numbers in a column, Excel will indicate the
> > > > sum. But it always shows that sum as a positive number, even if
it's
> > > > actually negative. Is there any way to change this behavior?
> > >
> > > --
> > >
> > > Dave Peterson
>
> --
>
> Dave Peterson

I think the current (well, 1990's) terminology is "thinking out of the box".

"Off the wall thinking" is much nicer <bg>.

Bob Phillips wrote:
>
> It's a compliment. Off the wall thinking <bg>
>
> Bob
>
> "Dave Peterson" <petersod@verizonXSPAM.net> wrote in message
> news:42E18D2D.F2D0C1D9@verizonXSPAM.net...
> > Thanks, er, I think. <vbg>
> >
> > Bob Phillips wrote:
> > >
> > > I really don't know where you come up with them from <g>
> > >
> > > Bob
> > >
> > > "Dave Peterson" <petersod@verizonXSPAM.net> wrote in message
> > > news:42E0E980.B1A1DD1E@verizonXSPAM.net...
> > > > If I selected my cells, then ctrl-clicked on an empty cell (general
> > > format),
> > > > then the statusbar showed the sum in general format.
> > > >
> > > > Maybe you could try it as a workaround.
> > > >
> > > > Steve wrote:
> > > > >
> > > > > If I highlight several numbers in a column, Excel will indicate the
> > > > > sum. But it always shows that sum as a positive number, even if
> it's
> > > > > actually negative. Is there any way to change this behavior?
> > > >
> > > > --
> > > >
> > > > Dave Peterson
> >
> > --
> >
> > Dave Peterson

--

Dave Peterson