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Returns a value of the same type that is passed to it specifying the absolute value of a number.

Syntax

Abs( number )

The required numberargument can be any valid numeric expression. If number contains Null, Null is returned; if it is an uninitialized variable, zero is returned.

Remarks

The absolute value of a number is its unsigned magnitude. For example, ABS(-1) and ABS(1) both return 1.

Query examples

Expression

Results

SELECT Abs([Discount]) AS Expr1 FROM ProductSales;

Returns the absolute values of the "Discount" field from table "ProductSales" in column Expr1, converts negative value to positive values (and leaves positive numbers unchanged).

SELECT Abs([Discount]/[SalePrice]) AS DiscountPercent FROM ProductSales;

Calculates all the values in the field "Discount" as a percentage of field "SalePrice" and displays in column "DiscountPercent".

VBA example

Note: Examples that follow demonstrate the use of this function in a Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) module. For more information about working with VBA, select Developer Reference in the drop-down list next to Search and enter one or more terms in the search box.

This example uses the Abs function to compute the absolute value of a number.

Dim MyNumber
MyNumber = Abs(50.3) ' Returns 50.3.
MyNumber = Abs(-50.3) ' Returns 50.3.

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