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SIGN

SIGN

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Description 

Use this function to return the sign of a number as +1, -1 or 0. Supported in Chains. 

If number is positive, SIGN returns 1.
If number is negative, sign returns -1.
If number is zero, SIGN returns 0.
If number is not numeric, SIGN returns a #VALUE! error.

 

Syntax

SIGN(number)

 

Inputs

This function has the following arguments:

Name Required Description Valid input
number Yes The initial value to be used.  A cell reference, a number, or a formula which results in either of these.  

 

Examples

Sample data

A B  

1

34

0

  

2

-2

39

  

Sample formulas

Use case Formula Explanation and Result
Determine the sign of a positive number. =SIGN(4)

This formula works in the following manner:

  • SIGN(: This is the function itself, which returns the sign of a number.
  • 4: The number argument.
  • The function returns 1 because the number is positive.

Result: 1.

Determine the sign of a negative number in a cell. =SIGN(A2)

This formula works in the following manner:

  • SIGN(: This is the function itself.
  • A2: The number argument, referencing cell A2 (which contains -2).
  • The function returns -1 because the number is negative.

Result: -1.

Determine the sign of zero in a cell. =SIGN(B1)

This formula works in the following manner:

  • SIGN(: This is the function itself.
  • B1: The number argument, referencing cell B1 (which contains 0).
  • The function returns 0 because the number is zero.

Result: 0.

 

Notes

  • Wildcards don't work with this function. 

 

Related functions

Description Use this function to return the sign of a number as +1, -1 or 0. Supported in Chains. If number is positi...