How to Sum Positive and Negative Numbers Together in Excel

Q: How do I sum only the positive numbers in a range?

Use the SUMIF function with a “greater than zero” criterion: =SUMIF(range,">0"). For data in A1:A10, =SUMIF(A1:A10,">0") adds only the values above zero and ignores every negative number and blank.

Q: How do I sum only the negative numbers in a range?

Use SUMIF with a “less than zero” criterion: =SUMIF(range," 0") when you want the positives and negatives reported separately.

Quick answer: To net positive and negative numbers together, just use =SUM(range) — Excel automatically subtracts the negatives. To total only the positives use =SUMIF(range,">0"), for only the negatives use =SUMIF(range,"<0"), and for the absolute total (ignoring sign) use =SUMPRODUCT(ABS(range)).

If you need to calculate the sum of positive and negative numbers in Microsoft Excel, you’ve come to the right place. This may seem like a daunting task, but with the right techniques and functions, it’s actually quite simple. In this post, we’ll show you how to easily add positive and negative numbers together in Excel. Whether you’re working on a budget or analyzing financial data, this skill will come in handy. You don’t need to be an Excel expert to follow along, so let’s get started.

Understand the Basics

Before we dive into the specifics of adding positive and negative numbers in Excel, it’s important to understand a few basic principles of mathematics. Positive numbers represent values that are greater than zero, while negative numbers represent values that are less than zero. The sum of a positive and negative number can be found by subtracting the absolute value of the smaller number from the larger number — which is really just subtraction in Excel. Keep this in mind as we move forward.

Using the SUM Function

The SUM function is one of the most commonly used functions in Excel, and it’s the tool we’ll use to add positive and negative numbers together. To use this function, simply select the cell where you want the result to appear, and type the following formula into the formula bar: =SUM(range). Replace the word “range” with the range of cells that you want to add. For example, if you want to add the values in cells A1 through A5, your formula would be =SUM(A1:A5).

Adding Positive and Negative Numbers

Adding positive and negative numbers with the SUM function might seem tricky, but it’s actually quite straightforward. To add positive and negative numbers together, simply enter them in the same formula, separating each value with a comma. For example, to add 5 and -3, your formula would be =SUM(5,-3). Excel will automatically add the two numbers together and return the result.

Skipping Blanks

If your range of cells includes blank cells, you can tell Excel to skip them by adding the IF function to your formula. Your formula should look like this: =SUMIF(range,"<>"). The “<>” symbol tells Excel to skip any blank cells in your range.

Summing Only the Positives or Only the Negatives

Often you don’t want the net total — you want the positives and negatives broken out separately. That’s where the SUMIF function shines. To add up only the positive numbers in a range, use =SUMIF(range,">0"). To add up only the negative numbers, use =SUMIF(range,"<0"). For example, with your data in cells A1 through A10, =SUMIF(A1:A10,">0") returns the total of every positive value, and =SUMIF(A1:A10,"<0") returns the (negative) total of every negative value. If you ever need to sum only positive numbers on their own, this is the cleanest approach.

Wrapping Up

As you can see, adding positive and negative numbers together in Excel is easier than you might have thought. With the right formula and a basic understanding of math principles, you’ll be able to easily calculate sums for any range of numbers. Whether you’re working on a budget or analyzing financial data, this skill will come in handy.

Using Conditional Formatting

Another useful tool to consider when working with positive and negative numbers in Excel is conditional formatting. This allows you to visually highlight positive and negative numbers in a range by applying different colors or fonts to them. To do this, select the range of cells you want to apply the formatting to, click on the “Conditional Formatting” button in the “Home” tab of the ribbon, and select “Highlight Cell Rules” followed by “Greater Than” or “Less Than” depending on the values you want to highlight. You can set the threshold to zero and apply different formatting to the positive and negative numbers.

Using the ABS Function

The ABS function is a handy tool that allows you to find the absolute value of a number. In other words, it will return the positive version of a negative number. For example, if you enter =ABS(-5), Excel will return the value 5. You can convert a negative number to positive anywhere you need it with this function.

To get the absolute total of a range — adding up the size of every value while ignoring its sign — the most reliable formula is =SUMPRODUCT(ABS(range)). Because the SUMPRODUCT function handles the whole array at once, you don’t need to enter it as an array formula. For example, =SUMPRODUCT(ABS(A1:A10)) adds the magnitudes of every number in A1:A10. (You can also use =SUM(ABS(A1:A10)) confirmed with Ctrl+Shift+Enter in older versions of Excel, but SUMPRODUCT works everywhere without the special keystroke.)

Final Thoughts

Adding positive and negative numbers together in Excel is a common task, but it doesn’t have to be complicated. By understanding the basics of math principles and using the right functions and tools, you’ll be able to easily calculate sums for any range of numbers. Whether you’re working on a budget, analyzing financial data, or just need to quickly add up some numbers, the techniques we’ve discussed in this post will save you time and frustration.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some common questions about adding positive and negative numbers in Excel:

How do I sum only the positive numbers in a range?

Use the SUMIF function with a “greater than zero” criterion: =SUMIF(range,">0"). For data in A1:A10, =SUMIF(A1:A10,">0") adds only the values above zero and ignores every negative number and blank.

How do I sum only the negative numbers in a range?

Use SUMIF with a “less than zero” criterion: =SUMIF(range,"<0"). For example, =SUMIF(A1:A10,"<0") returns the total of just the negative values (the result itself will be negative). This pairs nicely with =SUMIF(A1:A10,">0") when you want the positives and negatives reported separately.

How do I add up the absolute values of positive and negative numbers?

To total the size of every number while ignoring its sign, use =SUMPRODUCT(ABS(range)). This treats every value as positive before summing, so =SUMPRODUCT(ABS(A1:A10)) adds the magnitudes of all ten cells in a single formula without needing Ctrl+Shift+Enter.

Can I add positive and negative numbers using the “+” operator?

No, you cannot use the “+” operator to add positive and negative numbers together in Excel. The SUM function is the appropriate tool for this task, as it can handle multiple values at once and automatically add or subtract them based on their sign.

Can I use the SUM function to add positive and negative numbers in different columns?

Yes, you can use the SUM function to add positive and negative numbers that are not in the same column. Simply specify each range of positive and negative numbers separately, separated by commas within the SUM function. For example: =SUM(range1, range2).

What does the “<>” symbol mean in the SUMIF function?

The “<>” symbol in the SUMIF function is a logical operator that means “not equal to”. When used in a formula like =SUMIF(range, "<>"), it tells Excel to sum only the cells in the range that are not blank. This can be helpful if you want to skip over blank cells in your calculations.

Can I use Excel to add positive and negative numbers with different units of measure?

Yes, you can add positive and negative numbers that have different units of measure in Excel. However, it’s important to convert them to a common unit first to get accurate results. For example, you could convert feet to meters or convert dollars to euros before adding them together using the SUM function.

What if I have a negative result when adding positive and negative numbers in Excel?

If you end up with a negative result when adding positive and negative numbers in Excel, this simply means that the sum of the negative numbers was greater than the sum of the positive numbers. To change the negative result to a positive result, you can use the ABS function followed by the SUM function, like this: =ABS(SUM(range)).