Negative numbers in formulas

[John1215]

I have a spreadsheet that is used to find a total in hours and minutes
(hh:mm). The column total can result in a positive or negative number,
and the toal is carried forward to the next sheet at the end of a
period, say 30 days. If the result is a positve number then there is no
problem and the figure is carried forward without any errors, however
if the result is a negative number, Excel inputs ###### in the cell and
the figure is ignored. Can anyone tell me how to get Excel to recognise
the negative number to enable that figure to be carried forward and
included in future calculations. I know it is possible to manually
enter the number using quotes but this is tedious having to carry this
out wherever a negative result appears. I suspect that an IF function
can be used to cover this result but I am not sure how to include the
result so that Excel uses the negative number in its calculations. Any
help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

John1215

 

[John1215]

Bob,

Yes, you're right. I can see that this is the case. Are you able t
tell me how to make the negative number appear using a custom format o
am I stuck with the ######'s

Joh

 

[Gord Dibben]

John

Format>Cells>Custom. Pick any format then delete everything in the dialog
box>OK

Gord Dibben Excel MVP

 

[Qwerty]

The ###### means that the size of the cell is too small to display the font
size/format selected.
Drag column to enlarge cell or change the font size/format.

 

[Bob Phillips]

No, you're well off there. Enter times as initially described and try it. No
matter how wide you make it, it will still show #####

--

HTH

Bob Phillips
... looking out across Poole Harbour to the Purbecks
(remove nothere from the email address if mailing direct)

The ###### means that the size of the cell is too small to display the font
size/format selected.
Drag column to enlarge cell or change the font size/format.

 

[Qwerty]

OOPS! My bad. I never realized this.
I appreciate the lesson. May I take my foot out of my mouth now?

No, you're well off there. Enter times as initially described and try it. No
matter how wide you make it, it will still show #####

--

HTH

Bob Phillips
... looking out across Poole Harbour to the Purbecks
(remove nothere from the email address if mailing direct)