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