Hi,
I have a range of numbers from -100 to 100 in a row, and would like to return the greatest absolute value, including the negative sign if it happens to be a negative value.
i.e. if the number happens to be -70, using the =ABS function only returns "70", instead of -70.
Using the =MAX function also only returns the greatest positive value, even if there is a larger negative absolute value.
Thanks
Last edited by romperstomper; 07-08-2011 at 05:35 PM. Reason: Mark solved
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Sorry, I've done the above, but it still returns any negative values as its positive (i.e. without the negative sign).
Maybe
=MAX(ABS(MIN(A1:A10)),MAX(A1:A10))*IF(ABS(MIN(A1:A10))>MAX(A1:10),-1,1)
Last edited by Cutter; 02-09-2011 at 08:16 PM.
Try
=INDEX(A1:A10,MATCH(MAX(ABS(A1:A10)),ABS(A1:A10),0))
confirmed with CTRL+SHIFT+ENTER
Audere est facere
The above works perfectly, thanks for the fast reply.
Just one minor point, what if the cells were non-continguous? I keep getting syntax errors trying to pick individual cells, as oppose to A1:A10.
How many cells? Is there a pattern like every other row or every 4 columns?
Another alternative
=IF(ABS(MIN(A1:A10))>MAX(A1:A10),MIN(A1:A10),MAX(A1:A10))
The number of cells varies from 2-3 (for the sake of the formula, assume its E2, J2, M2).
I'm happy to pick them out myself, however, the syntax is apparently wrong, and it won't let me do that.
Well, I think Cutter has cracked it - his version allows you to use a discontiguous range, i.e.
=IF(ABS(MIN(E2,J2,M2))>MAX(E2,J2,M2),MIN(E2,J2,M2),MAX(E2,J2,M2))
....or my own variation on that.....
=SUBTOTAL(4+(ABS(MIN(E2,J2,M2))>MAX(E2,J2,M2)),E2,J2,M2)
Thats it, thanks everyone.
My apologies to bump this up.Originally Posted by daddylonglegs
Hello daddylonglegs,
Your provided formula did works well for getting the maximum values with signs.
Can you please teach how to write this simply for VBA module use, example by using worksheetfunction or application.
I will insert the VBA function to an existing module to get the answer at cell B1
Cells(2, 1).Value = __________
Thank you.
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Ben Van Johnson
both the numbers are returning me exponential results. what to do?
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