"Plus" (+) sign next to positive numbers

[mpanty]

Hi.

This may sound like a very stupid question, but how do you make a "plus" (+) sign appear next to positive numbers?

I'm using a formula that calculates the difference between two cells, and I'd like to visualize the positive change with a "plus" sign next to the number. I know I can also do conditional formatting for the same effect, but I'm already using that, and I feel a "plus" sign would be visually better.

Any help is appreciated.

[BenjieLop]

Hi.

This may sound like a very stupid question, but how do you make a "plus" (+) sign appear next to positive numbers?

I'm using a formula that calculates the difference between two cells, and I'd like to visualize the positive change with a "plus" sign next to the number. I know I can also do conditional formatting for the same effect, but I'm already using that, and I feel a "plus" sign would be visually better.

Any help is appreciated.

See if this formula is what you like ...

=if(A1-B1>0,"+"&(A1-B1),A1-B1)

OR this,

=if(A1-B1>0,(A1-B1)&"+",A1-B1)

[RGC]

You might want to try a Custom Number Format like the one below:

"+"#,##0.0;"-"#,##0.0;#,##0.0

It puts a plus sign in front of positive amounts, a minus before negatives, and nothing in front of zeroes.

That way, the differences are still numbers and can be aggregated.

Format>Cells>Number Tab>Category>Custom
Then copy the above format into the Type input box.

Regards,
Ron

[mpanty]

Thanks a bunch BenjieLop and RGC! Both solutions worked, but I found RGC's easier to apply because it deals only with formatting.

Thanks again to both of you!

[bobmac1547]

Thanks, RGC. This is great. However, I'm trying to track weight loss, so positive numbers are actually weight lost, and negative numbers are pounds gained. How can I reverse what you posted above so that positive numbers get a minus sign in front and negative numbers get a plus sign indicating weight gain?

[Sam Capricci]

bobmac1547, welcome to the forum but please check the forum rules, in this instance rule #4 about posting a new help request in an existing thread. Please start your own post (it is free after all ) and if you feel this post is particularly relevant put in the link to it on your post.
thanks.

[FlameRetired]

SK beat me to it.

Administrative Note:

Hello bobmac1547. Welcome to the forum.

We are happy to help, however whilst you feel your request is similar to this thread, experience has shown that things soon get confusing when answers refer to particular cells/ranges/sheets which are unique to your post and not relevant to the original.

Please see Forum Rule #4 about hijacking and start a new thread for your query.

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