Formatting Negative nunbers

[KheenWW]

I want to format a range of cells where I can enter negative integers without having to add a negative sign (-) and the number to show, and calculate, as a negative number. Is this possible? If so, how? Thank you for your help.

[MarvinP]

Hi KheenWW and welcome to the forum,

Math and excel are hard enough to deal with, without changing the rules. Sooo, you want to treat some numbers as positive and some as negative and not have to put that minus sign in front of the negative ones?

How will Excel know 5 is different than -5 without that dash in front?

I guess you need to tell us more about the problem. I'm sure there is a way but how to do it easiest is the question.

[martindwilson]

how would you then add +ve integers?
you could probably custom format to look like -ve but you'd have to use - in any calc
so say its cell a1 and you add to b1 then you'd have to put= -a1+b1

[MarvinP]

Hey martin
Excel can do everything, we can invent new math rules. it's ok . Maybe it's a complex number thing where i^2 = -1. I really want to hear what KheenWW has to offer. I'm open to new ways of doing things. Anyhow, I want you to show me how to treat red font positive numbers just like negative numbers.

I just lol as I remembered teylyn's statement that fonts aren't data.

[Gazpaxo]

Attached is a simple example were you can enter numbers in column A and they will be treated as negative numbers in the calculations in columns C, D, E and F.
the calculation is taking the value from the hidden column B where the number entered in A is converted to negative.
I know this is very basic, but maybe is what KheenWW is looking for without the need of anything too fancy.

[mikerickson]

I hold that a negative number should look like a negative number when the user sees it.
(Also, remembering that printers sometimes run out of colored ink)
Otherwise great confusion can result.

One way to do this would be to change the header, from Credit to Debit or some equivalent. The sign can be added at the formula end of things. And the user can avoid pressing the "-" key.

[martindwilson]

ah i didnt say id use excels red font just custom as "-"0;;0
they'd look like negative (but are really positive) as long as formulas take that into account then it would sort of work not ideal i agree, but as long as that range was only for negative integers....