Convert Negative Numbers to Zero in Excel

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A clever Excel trick to change negative numbers to zero but leave positive numbers unchanged.

Below you can find two columns with numbers. To subtract the numbers in column B from the numbers in column A, execute the following steps.

Worked Example:   Calculate max or min change in a set of data in Excel

1. Select cell C1.

2. Enter the formula =A1-B1

3. Click the lower right corner of cell C1 and drag the formula down.

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4. To change the negative numbers to zero but leave the positive numbers unchanged, instead of =A1-B1, use =MAX(0,A1-B1) and drag the function down.

Worked Example:   MAX function: Description, Usage, Syntax, Examples and Explanation

Result:


Result:

Explanation: the MAX function returns the maximum of two values. If the result of the formula is negative, the function returns 0.

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