Expert: Jan Altman - 5/20/2004

Question
How do I change all the numbers on a spreadsheet to negative numbers.  I have input all the info but realized I used positives instead of negatives.

Answer
Here's a cute trick that many people aren't aware of, Sheila. It's really quite simple:

1) Enter -1 in a blank cell somewhere.

2) Copy the -1 to the clipboard.

3) Select all of the positive numbers that need to be converted to negatives.

4) On the menu bar, go to Edit/Paste Special.

5) The Paste Special box appears. In the Paste area, choose Values.

6) In the Operation area, choose Multiply. Click OK.

7) Press Esc to exit copy/paste mode.

You have multiplied all of your values by -1, which changes their sign. (You can now delete the -1 from the cell.)

Hope this helps!

Regards,
Jan