This FAQ covers 3 common questions and 3 glossary terms for the SIGN function on Windows, focusing on argument types, result interpretation, and filling formulas across cells.
FAQ
Why does SIGN return #VALUE!?
- Check whether the argument is numeric and make sure plain text, spaces, or invalid characters are not being used as the argument.
- If a cell looks like a number but is stored as text, clean the content or convert it to a number first.
- Re-enter
=SIGN(number)and press Enter to confirm the result.
Why is the SIGN result different from what I expected?
- Confirm that the referenced cell is correct and that the formula is not pointing to the wrong location.
- Check whether the argument is positive, zero, or negative, because SIGN only returns
1,0, or-1. - If needed, review the original value in a nearby cell before judging the result.
How to use the SIGN function in WPS on Windows across multiple cells?
- Enter
=SIGN(...)in the first target cell. - Press Enter to get the result, then select that cell again.
- Drag the fill handle or copy and paste the formula into other target cells to apply the same calculation pattern.
Glossary
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| SIGN | A function that returns the sign of a number: 1 for positive, 0 for zero, and -1 for negative. |
| Argument | The value entered into a function. For SIGN, the argument is number. |
| Formula bar | The input area above the worksheet where you can view and edit formulas directly. |