SIGN in WPS on Windows: Introduction

SIGN in WPS on Windows is a spreadsheet function for checking whether a number is positive, zero, or negative; this guide covers 1 core task, with 1 available without membership and 0 membership-related items.

At a Glance

Metric	Value	Notes
Core tasks	1	Matches the number of rows in the How-to Index
Available without membership	1	Matches the number of Free rows in the index
Membership-related items	0	Matches the number of membership-related rows in the index
Version scope	No version limit stated	Available in WPS Spreadsheet on Windows

About This Feature

Overview

The SIGN function in WPS Spreadsheet on Windows returns the sign of a number: 1 for a positive value, 0 for zero, and -1 for a negative value.

This function is useful when you need to classify numeric direction in spreadsheet work, such as trend checks, score labeling, and batch data review. It supports direct entry in a cell or in the formula bar, and the result updates when referenced data changes.

System Requirements

Item	Requirement
Operating system	A Windows device that can run WPS Office normally
App version	It is recommended to use the latest version of WPS Office
Network	No mandatory internet connection is required for local formula calculation
Other	You need access to WPS Spreadsheet and editable worksheet cells

Download & Installation

Item	Details
Official download	WPS Office Free Download
Check after installation	Open WPS Spreadsheet and enter `=SIGN()` in a cell to confirm the function is available

Source: WPS download page

Compare with Alternatives

Dimension	WPS	Microsoft	Google	Notion	Adobe
Capability Summary	In WPS Spreadsheet, you can enter `SIGN(number)` directly in a cell to return 1, 0, or -1, with formula hints, worksheet references, and nested formula use.	Microsoft Word supports formulas in table cells and lists SIGN among available functions, but the feature is designed for document tables rather than a full spreadsheet workspace.	Google Sheets supports formulas and functions in spreadsheet cells and provides function help while editing. Official Google Docs pages in the reviewed results focus on Docs or Sheets help separately rather than a Docs-based SIGN workflow.	Notion supports `sign()` in database formulas and returns 1, 0, or -1 based on the number value.	Adobe Acrobat supports calculated form fields in PDF forms, which fits form workflows rather than spreadsheet-style function editing.
WPS Advantages	Advantage: WPS places SIGN in a spreadsheet editing workflow with direct cell entry, formula hints, and familiar worksheet-based calculation behavior on Windows.	Compared with WPS: the official Microsoft page describes formula use in Word tables, so the calculation context is narrower than a spreadsheet grid.	Compared with WPS: Google Sheets supports formulas broadly, but the reviewed official pages emphasize general formula help and function lists rather than this specific Windows WPS spreadsheet workflow.	Compared with WPS: Notion formula use is tied to database properties instead of traditional spreadsheet cells and fill-handle editing.	Compared with WPS: Acrobat calculation features are centered on PDF form fields and submission workflows, not spreadsheet formula authoring.
Official Source	—	Use a formula in a Word table	Add formulas & functions	Formula syntax & functions	Advanced form fields

Overall Conclusion: If your main task is checking number direction inside a Windows spreadsheet, WPS provides a direct worksheet-based path for entering and reusing the SIGN function. Microsoft, Google, Notion, and Adobe each support calculation features in their own official workflows, but their primary contexts differ across document tables, spreadsheets, databases, and PDF forms.

Use Cases

No.	Scenario	Suitable for	Main issue	How SIGN helps
1	Mark positive, zero, and negative values	Data analysts	Large datasets need quick direction labels	Use SIGN to return 1, 0, or -1 automatically
2	Build nested logic formulas	Finance and operations teams	Multi-step formulas often need a direction check first	Combine SIGN with other spreadsheet functions
3	Review referenced worksheet values	Frequent spreadsheet users	Cross-sheet checks can be hard to read manually	Use SIGN with references to standardize results
4	Learn basic math functions	Students and trainers	Function behavior is easier to understand with simple outputs	Compare results from negative, zero, and positive inputs
5	Batch-fill result labels	Everyday office users	Manual labeling takes time	Fill down a SIGN formula across a column

Membership & Benefits

Free vs WPS Premium

Feature area	Free users	WPS Premium
Basic use of the SIGN function	Available	Available
Basic PDF features	Available	Available
Cloud storage	1 GB	20 GB
Template downloads	Limited	More advanced templates and benefits
Some advanced tools	Limited or unavailable	More advanced tools available

Source: WPS Office pricing page

Recommendations

Usage scenario	Recommended plan	Why
You mainly need spreadsheet formulas such as SIGN	Free	It covers common formula entry and calculation tasks
You also need more cloud storage, templates, and broader office tools	WPS Premium	It fits heavier day-to-day office and collaboration needs

Membership page: Subscribe to WPS Premium