2 negative numbers subtracted equal a postive number but I want t.

[Guest]

I have a net amount that is negative and another amount that is negative. I
want to know the difference of the two and show that as another amount. Just
so happens this time - both numbers are negative show on the report the
calculated amount is showing positive. I need it to show negative also.
Problem is: The two numbers being negative can happen about 3 or 4 times a
year - normally both numbers are positive - so the difference is shown
properly.
How do I get the calculated field to show a negative this time

 

[Rick B]

What formula are you using and what are the values in the fields?

(-4) - (-5) = 1
(-5) - (-4) = -1

 

[Jeff Boyce]

Wait just a second...

The different between two negative numbers is NOT always negative. That
said, if you are interested in the DISTANCE between two negative numbers,
that's not the same as the difference (which equals the mathematical
subtraction).

To find DISTANCE, you can take the absolute value of their difference.

Regards

Jeff Boyce
<Office/Access MVP>

 

[Rick B]

Note: If you ALWAYS want a positive number, then you should use the
ABSolute value function.


SomeCalculation: Abs([Field1] - [Field2])

 

[Guest]

I tried Abs - just gives me more decimal places.
The calculation is
SumFFP - SumNet = Match
NegNumber - NegNumber = PositiveNumber

The FFP and NET amounts are usually positive number so match is postive
three for four times a year
ffp and net are negative numbers so match should also be negative.
Hope this provides enough information so I can get this report to look right.
Thanks in advance

Note: If you ALWAYS want a positive number, then you should use the
ABSolute value function.


SomeCalculation: Abs([Field1] - [Field2])



--
Rick B

I have a net amount that is negative and another amount that is negative.
I
want to know the difference of the two and show that as another amount.
Just
so happens this time - both numbers are negative show on the report the
calculated amount is showing positive. I need it to show negative also.
Problem is: The two numbers being negative can happen about 3 or 4 times
a
year - normally both numbers are positive - so the difference is shown
properly.
How do I get the calculated field to show a negative this time

 

[Rick B]

No it doesn't. I asked for an example. what are the numbers in your
example. Telling me your field names does nothing for me.

In any case, finding the Absolute value WILL take any number and remove the
sign from it. It will NOT add decimal places.

If you are doing this in a query, then "SumFFP - SumNet = Match" does not
make much sense. You should have "Match: SumFFP - SumNet"

To do what I suggested, you would have "Match: Abs(SumFFP - SumNet)


Hope that helps.


--
Rick B

I tried Abs - just gives me more decimal places.
The calculation is
SumFFP - SumNet = Match
NegNumber - NegNumber = PositiveNumber

The FFP and NET amounts are usually positive number so match is postive
three for four times a year
ffp and net are negative numbers so match should also be negative.
Hope this provides enough information so I can get this report to look
right.
Thanks in advance

Note: If you ALWAYS want a positive number, then you should use the
ABSolute value function.


SomeCalculation: Abs([Field1] - [Field2])



--
Rick B

I have a net amount that is negative and another amount that is
negative.
I
want to know the difference of the two and show that as another amount.
Just
so happens this time - both numbers are negative show on the report the
calculated amount is showing positive. I need it to show negative
also.
Problem is: The two numbers being negative can happen about 3 or 4
times
a
year - normally both numbers are positive - so the difference is shown
properly.
How do I get the calculated field to show a negative this time