---
title: "Use the SIGN Function to Identify If a Number Is Positive or Negative"
slug: "sign-function"
description: "Learn to apply the SIGN function in Pigment to identify number signs easily. Returns 1 for positive, 0 for zero, and -1 for negative."
updated: 2025-05-30T09:41:07Z
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.

# SIGN function

## ​​​Description

Determines the sign of a Number. Returns 1 if the number if positive, 0 if the number is 0, -1 if the number is negative.

## Syntax

`SIGN(Number)`

## Arguments

| Argument | Type | Dimensions | Description |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| *Number* (required) | Number | Any Dimensions | Number to get the sign from. |

## Returns

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

## Examples

| Formula | Result | Description |
| --- | --- | --- |
| `SIGN(2.5)` | 1 |  |
| `SIGN(0)` | 0 |  |
| `SIGN(-2.5)` | -1 |  |

## See also

Excel: [SIGN](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/sign-function-109c932d-fcdc-4023-91f1-2dd0e916a1d8)

Related articles: [ABS](/v1/docs/abs-function)

> [!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>