MS Excel: How to use the ABS Function (WS, VBA)

This Excel tutorial explains how to use the Excel ABS function with syntax and examples.

Description

The Microsoft Excel ABS function returns the absolute value of a number.

The ABS function is a built-in function in Excel that is categorized as a Math/Trig Function. It can be used as a worksheet function (WS) and a VBA function (VBA) in Excel. As a worksheet function, the ABS function can be entered as part of a formula in a cell of a worksheet. As a VBA function, you can use this function in macro code that is entered through the Microsoft Visual Basic Editor.

Syntax

The syntax for the ABS function in Microsoft Excel is:

ABS( number )

Parameters or Arguments

number

A numeric value used to calculate the absolute value.

Returns

The ABS function returns a numeric value.

Applies To

• Excel for Office 365, Excel 2019, Excel 2016, Excel 2013, Excel 2011 for Mac, Excel 2010, Excel 2007, Excel 2003, Excel XP, Excel 2000

Type of Function

• Worksheet function (WS)
• VBA function (VBA)

Example (as Worksheet Function)

Let's look at some Excel ABS function examples and explore how to use the ABS function as a worksheet function in Microsoft Excel:

Based on the Excel spreadsheet above, the following ABS examples would return:

=ABS(A1)
Result: 210.67

=ABS(A2)
Result: 2.9

=ABS(A3)
Result: 3

=ABS(-4.5)
Result: 4.5

=ABS(-210.67)
Result: 210.67

=ABS(5)
Result: 5

=ABS(2-10)
Result: 8

Example (as VBA Function)

Now, let's look at more Excel ABS examples and explore how to use the ABS function in Excel VBA code. For example:

Dim LNumber As Double

LNumber = Abs (-210.6)

In this example, the variable called LNumber would now contain the value of 210.6.