[Solved] Determine signed arithmetic difference of two cells

[RMRavik]

=IF(B3>B6,B3-B6,B6-B3) B3 is smaller
=IF(C3>C6,C3-C6,C6-C3) C3 is larger
When ?3 is larger I want # to be negative
When ?6 is larger I want # to be positive
Both are negative
If I change > to < both are positive
I hope this makes sense
thanks

Edit: Changed subject, was I'm not understanding how to get results I want  Make your post understandable by others  -- MrProgrammer, forum moderator

[MrProgrammer]

When ?3 is larger I want # to be negative
When ?6 is larger I want # to be positive

Just subtract!
=B6-B3
=C6-C3

If you need any additional assistance attach a spreadsheet demonstrating the difficulty (remove confidential information then use Post Reply, not Quick Reply, and don't attach a picture instead of the spreadsheet itself). I will not help further unless you attach a spreadsheet document.

If this solved your problem please go to your first post use the Edit ✏️ button and add [Solved] to the start of the Subject field. Select the green checkmark icon at the same time.

[Tutorial] Ten concepts that every Calc user should know

[FJCC]

Maybe I'm misunderstanding you. Wouldn't

Code: Select all

=B6 - B3

give you what you want? If B3 is larger, the result will be negative, and if B6 is larger, the result will be positive.

[Zizi64]

Something is missing

Your ODF type sample file is missing. Please upload it here.

[Lupp]

See attached example. It contains explanations.

aOO_113230_sign_of_difference.ods

(14.92 KiB) Downloaded 209 times

(Excuse: I'm a retired teacher.)

[RMRavik]

Your ODF type sample file is missing. What is ODF type sample file?

Please upload it here.How would I upload it?

[Lupp]

Your ODF type sample file is missing. What is ODF type sample file?

ODF-type file is in this case a file wich you made with AOO and saved under a name with the extension .ods (roughly meaning Calc).
Please upload it here.

How would I upload it?

Switch to the "Full Editor" by clicking on the respective button below the editor for simple answers.
A bit below the new editing window you will now find a tab "Attachments". Use it and see.

An updated demo by Lupp you find here:

aOO_113230_sign_of_difference_2.ods

(20.74 KiB) Downloaded 122 times

[RMRavik]

I want the profit - Loss to be B = Negative and C = Positive

[FJCC]

Here is a revised version of your document. Formulas like =B6-B3 do what you want.

[RMRavik]

Something is missing

Your ODF type sample file is missing. Please upload it here.

I uploaded this once but to another conversation.
Note: I failed to mention that the Today Price changes daily that's why I used the IF function

[FJCC]

Note: I failed to mention that the Today Price changes daily that's why I used the IF function

I don't understand how an IF() function is useful here. The formulas I used in B7 and C7 will update the calculation whenever the Today Price changes. Please explain why the calculations in the file I posted do not meet your needs.