Wasn't Thinking ahead!

[latinstarlite]

I created an excel spreadsheet containing all of my debits and credits for my new business to send to my tax accountant to file my first years taxes. Though he is competent enough to know which columns are debits and which are credits. In hindsight I really should have the debits as negative numbers. However, in my haste I input a full years worth of debits and credits as positive numbers.

Is there a way to convert ALL of the numbers into negative numbers?

I realize this would convert my credits to negative numbers also, but it would be much easier to individually convert the credits back to positive numbers than it would be to go through and individually change all the debits.

I am using 2010. I am used to XP and prior.... this new stuff is so completely different than what I learned on.... UGH. It's frustrating!

 

[NickHa]

Are you sure this is a good idea? You say you have columns for credits and debits, so I would have thought that would suffice.

However, the easiest way to reverse the sign of a number is to subtract it from zero.

If you start in an unused column to the right of your data and enter the formula =0-B2 (where B2 represents the cell containing the positive number). Copy this formula down the column and you will have the negative values.

Now, copy the entire new column. Then, without changing the selection, right-click within the selected area (i.e. inside the 'marching ants') and click on Paste Special ..., then click on the radio button 'Values' and then OK. The formulae will be replaced by the values.

 

[NBVC]

Another way without using a formula....

add a -1 to any empty cell and copy that cell. Select the numbers to convert, and then go to Edit|Paste Special (or, in 2007+, right-click, Paste Special) and select Multiply.

Click Ok and done. Now you can delete the -1.

 

[latinstarlite]

Took me a minute to find "paste special" but I found it and it worked beautifully! Thank you so much!!!