The SIGN function in Google Sheets is a useful metric that determines the sign of a given number. By returning specific values based on the number’s nature, it allows users to make decisions in their data processing efficiently.

Syntax

SIGN(number)

number: The numeric value to assess.

Example #1

SIGN(-5)

This function checks if C5-5C5 is negative, positive, or zero. Result: -1 indicates the input is negative.

Example #2

SIGN(10)

This function evaluates whether C510C5 is negative, positive, or zero. Result: 1 shows the input is positive.

Example #3

SIGN(0)

This function checks if C50C5 is negative, positive, or zero. Result: 0 confirms the input is neutral.

Error handling

• VALUE! – Occurs when the input is not a numeric value.
• NAME? – Happens if the function is misspelled.

Conclusion

In summary, the SIGN function effectively simplifies data management tasks in Google Sheets by providing a quick way to classify numbers based on their sign. This can be particularly beneficial in financial analyses, decision-making, and more complex data manipulations.