How to Put a Negative Number in Excel Formula (4 Easy Methods)

We’ll use a sample dataset with random numbers in one column and will then convert them to negative numbers in the other one by applying negative numbers in formulas.

Methods to Put a Negative Number

Method 1 – Applying the IF Function

Steps:

Select C5.
Insert the following formula in the selected cell.

=IF(B5>0,B5*-1,B5)

Methods to Put a Negative Number

Press the Enter button to get the result.

Use the Fill Handle option to apply the formula to all cells in the column.

You will get the final result similar to the below image.

Method 2 – Use the ABS Function

Steps:

Select C5 and insert the following formula

=ABS(B5)*-1

Use the Fill Handle to apply this formula to all the cells.

Here are the results.

Method 3 – Utilizing Excel’s Paste Special Feature

Steps:

Paste the numbers you want to convert into the desired column.

Insert -1 into any blank cell (in this case cell D5) and copy the cell.

Select the numbers you want to convert.

Right-click on the column and choose the option Paste Special.

The Paste Special dialog box will open.
Select All in the Paste section and the Multiply option in the Operation section.
Press OK.

You will get the desired result.

Method 4 – Applying VBA Code

Steps:

Press Alt + F11 to open the VBA window.
Go to Insert and select the Module option.

Insert the following VBA code.

Sub Put_Negative_Number()
Dim wsheet As Worksheet
Dim rnge As Range
Dim rslt As Range
Set wsheet = Application.ActiveSheet
Set rnge = Application.Selection
For Each cell In rnge
If cell.Value > 0 Then
cell.Value = cell.Value * -1
End If
Next
End Sub