The UMINUS function in Google Sheets is an operator function which is useful to reverse the sign of a number. Actually, without using this operator function you can reverse the sign of numbers in Docs Sheets. You can find that details below.

I very rarely use the UMINUS function. I use this function in combination with some financial functions in Google Sheets. In my case that is the only real-life use of the UMINUS in Google Sheets.

UMINUS Equivalent: If you multiply a number by -1, the sign of that number will be reversed.

In the below example, I have used the formula =A1*-1 in cell B1, to revere the sign of the value in cell A1.

Syntax and Argument

UMINUS(value)

value – The specific number to have its sign reversed.

Formula Example to Google Sheets UMINUS Function:

The following formula returns the value 54 for uminus.

=uminus(-54)

The result of the below formula would be -54.

=uminus(54)

In real-life, as said above, I am using this operator function with some of the financial functions. Let me take you through one example.

UMINUS – Real-Life Use in Google Sheets

Let’s take an example of the PMT financial function which returns the periodic payment for a loan.

The output of the PMT formula in cell B4 is a negative number as it’s a cash outflow.

To return the above PMT output as a positive number you can use the UMINUS function in Google Sheets in combination with the PMT as below.

=uminus(pmt(B1/12,B2,B3))

As far as I know, the UMINUS function is not available in Excel. So Excel users can use the following method to reverse the sign of the PMT output.

=-pmt(B1/12,B2,B3)

There is a UMINUS similar operator function in Google Sheets which is UPLUS. If you check my function guide, you won’t see any details/description of the UPLUS function under the function list.

I simply skipped it there as there is no specific use of the UPLUS in Sheets. So I would like to give you a brief introduction to the UPLUS function here.

How to Use UPLUS Function in Google Sheets

The UPLUS function returns the input number unchanged! I guess Google Sheets has this function for compatibility with other similar Spreadsheet applications.

Here is the syntax of the UPLUS, for your info.

UPLUS(value)

Example:

=uplus(-5)

Result: -5

=uplus(5)

Result: 5

Related Reading: How to Use the SIGN Function in Google Sheets [Real-life Examples].