Abs

Abs is a mathematical function that returns the absolute value of a numeric value, row, column, or cell. The absolute value of a number is that number without a negative sign. A negative number becomes positive, while a positive number remains positive. The function syntax is:

  Abs (argument)
  

where argument is one of the following values:

Argument

Description

numeric

A numeric value. For example, Abs (- 20) returns the value 20. Numeric values can include decimals and negative values. For a description of numeric arguments, see Numeric Arguments.

row, column, or cell reference

A pointer to a row, column, or cell within a grid. References can be specified in several ways. The reference syntax is: GridName.GridElement[segment(range)].Property.

For a definition of the syntax, see Row, Column, or Cell Reference Arguments.

function

An embedded function. For a list of mathematical functions, see Mathematical Functions.

Examples:

The following expression includes a numeric argument and returns the value 30:

  Abs ( -30 )

The following example returns the absolute value of the value in row 1:

  Abs(row[1])

The following example calculates the absolute value of the sum of column E:

  Abs( column[E].sum )

The following example points to expanded rows 1 through 3 within design segment 3 of Grid1:

  Abs( Grid1.row[3(1:3)])