how do i calculate the difference between two numbers?

[dig]

Hello,
I am having difficulty in finding the difference between two numbers,
i have two cloumns which have for example the numbers C3=2 and D3=10, where
the difference would be E3=8 and numbers C4=12 and D4=7 where the difference
would be E4=5, how do i do this in excel without getting negative numbers
such as C3-D3=-8?
thank you for your help,
Dougie

 

[joeu2004]

i have two cloumns which have for example the numbers C3=2 and D3=10, where
the difference would be E3=8 and numbers C4=12 and D4=7 where the difference
would be E4=5, how do i do this in excel without getting negative numbers
such as C3-D3=-8?

=abs(C3-D3)

 

[Barb Reinhardt]

The difference would be calculated as

=C3-D3

The absolute value of this is

=ABS(C3-D3)

 

[dig]

Thank you very much,
i am having difficulty, the cell displays as =ABS(C3-D3) how do i get it to
display as a number?
Thanks again

 

[David Biddulph]

=ABS(C3-D3)

 

[Bernard Liengme]

=ABS(C3-D3)
best wishes

 

[David Biddulph]

It sounds like you've got the cell formatted as text. Format the cell as
General or Number. You may need to go back to the formula and perhaps
delete the = sign and re-enter.
The other thing is to look at Tools/ Options/ View, and make sure that the
"formulas" box is not checked.

 

[dig]

fantastic, that did it,
thank you so much for your help,
much appreciated!
Dougie