---
title: "Use the ABS Function to Return the Absolute Value of Numbers"
slug: "abs-function"
description: "Learn to use the ABS function to return the absolute value of a Number in Pigment — perfect for handling negative values in your models."
updated: 2025-05-30T09:41:08Z
published: 2025-08-22T10:57:28Z
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://kb.pigment.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# ABS function

## ​​​Description

Returns the absolute value of a given Number.

## Syntax

`ABS(Number)`

## Arguments

| Argument | Type | Dimensions | Description |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| *Number* (required) | Number | Any Dimensions |  |

## Returns

| Type | Dimensions |
| --- | --- |
| Number | Dimensions of argument *Number* |

## Examples

| Formula | Result | Description |
| --- | --- | --- |
| `ABS(-2.5)` | 2.5 | The absolute value of -2.5 is 2.5. |
| `ABS(2.5)` | 2.5 | The absolute value of 2.5 is 2.5. |
| `ABS('Inventory Flow')` |  | Returns all values of the Metric ‘Inventory Flow’ as positive values. |

## See also

Excel: [ABS](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/abs-function-3420200f-5628-4e8c-99da-c99d7c87713c)

> [!TIP]
> More of a hands-on learner?
> 
> Talk to your Customer Success Manager about downloading the Functions and Modifiers in Pigment Application into your workspace. It includes examples of every formula and modifier in Pigment!

<style> p[data-block-id] {font-size:1rem;} ul li p[data-block-id] {margin-bottom: 0;} ul[data-type="taskList"] li div p[data-block-id] {margin-bottom: 0;} ol li p[data-block-id] {margin-bottom: 0;} table tbody th p[data-block-id] { margin-bottom: 0;} blockquote p[data-block-id] {margin-bottom: 0 !important;} &nbsp;p[data-block-id]:empty::after {content: "\00A0";} </style>
