Why is my total coming out as a negative number?

[Malthus101]

hi

This is ringing a bell from a long time ago, have a feeling i may have asked this same question many years ago!

I have a column with % numbers, some positive, some negative. When I add them all together, it gives the correct figure but is displaying it as a negative when it should be positive.

I can't remember why that happens. Thanks.

 

[RoryA]

Perhaps the actual number signs are reversed in the data (but formatted to show the other way round), there's an error in your formula (e.g. you type =-SUM( rather than =SUM(), or there is a format applied to the sum cell that reverses the sign.

 

[Malthus101]

Perhaps the actual number signs are reversed in the data (but formatted to show the other way round), there's an error in your formula (e.g. you type =-SUM( rather than =SUM(), or there is a format applied to the sum cell that reverses the sign.

oh yeah, you're right - i had =-SUM for some reason! thanks.

 

[RoryA]

Been there, done that.