The UPLUS function in Google Sheets is a straightforward yet essential tool. It is designed to return a specified number without any changes, effectively serving as a method to ensure that a value is treated as a number, even if it is formatted differently in the spreadsheet. This function can be particularly useful in various mathematical calculations where number formats might vary.

Syntax

UPLUS(value)

value: The number or cell reference that you want returned unchanged.

Example #1

=UPLUS("100")

This function will return 100 as a number. For example, entering =UPLUS("100") will yield a result of 100 in the cell.

Example #2

=UPLUS(A1)

If cell A1 contains the value -50, this function will return -50. Hence, calling =UPLUS(A1) directly reflects the content of A1 as a number, maintaining its value.

Example #3

=UPLUS(B2)

If cell B2 has the text “20.5”, this function will convert it to a number and return 20.5 in your formula. Thus, entering =UPLUS(B2) will provide the numeric equivalent of the text value.

Error handling

• VALUE!: This error occurs when the specified value cannot be interpreted as a number. For instance, if you attempt to use UPLUS on a non-numeric string, this error will be returned.
• REF!: This error indicates that the function is referencing an invalid cell. If the cell reference provided is deleted or invalid, UPLUS will trigger this error.

Conclusion

In summary, the UPLUS function is a simple but powerful feature in Google Sheets. It effectively ensures that a specified numeric value is returned unchanged, allowing for seamless mathematical operations. Understanding how to apply this function can enhance data management, ensuring accurate calculations across your spreadsheets.