Excel formula to differentiate positive and negative values between cells

[Martines91]

Hi all,

I'm trying to figure out how I could make a formula that would work as following:

Cell A1: 1000
Cell A2: 1500
Cell A3: 1400
Cell A4: 1800

Now, if A2 is higher than A1, show the difference as +500, but then I want to do the same between A3 and A2, but in this case, show value as -100, and continuing to A4 and A3, that'd show +400, etc.

so =IF(A2<A1, A2-A1, A1-A2) I guess I would go with IF function but at this very moment my brain is not functioning properly so I know I'm doing something wrong I just cannot figure out what, thanks for any future help

[Sam Capricci]

I must be missing something because it simply looks to me like you want =A2-A1 in another cell then drag down.
unless you want the plus sign to show?
if you want the plus sign to show then use this... =IF(A2-A1>0,"+"&A2-A1,A2-A1)
though the positive ones will be text, the minus sign should show anyway (and will based on your posted examples).

[Martines91]

Oh my god, I'm so stupid, yes, I don't know what came to my mind, but as I said, my brain isn't functioning at 100% today, thanks, at least I can use that formula to show the plus sign

[Sam Capricci]

Hey, everyone has bad days, glad I could help.