{"id":403525,"date":"2022-02-04T22:00:35","date_gmt":"2022-02-04T19:00:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/en.buradabiliyorum.com\/how-to-make-negative-numbers-red-in-google-sheets\/"},"modified":"2022-02-04T22:00:35","modified_gmt":"2022-02-04T19:00:35","slug":"how-to-make-negative-numbers-red-in-google-sheets","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/how-to-make-negative-numbers-red-in-google-sheets\/","title":{"rendered":"#How to Make Negative Numbers Red in Google Sheets"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_85 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a3dfc095cdb4\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #dd3333;color:#dd3333\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #dd3333;color:#dd3333\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a3dfc095cdb4\" checked aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/how-to-make-negative-numbers-red-in-google-sheets\/#Make_Negative_Numbers_Red_Using_a_Custom_Format\" >Make Negative Numbers Red Using a Custom Format<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/how-to-make-negative-numbers-red-in-google-sheets\/#Make_Negative_Numbers_Red_Using_Conditional_Formatting\" >Make Negative Numbers Red Using Conditional Formatting<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<p><strong>&#8220;#How to Make Negative Numbers Red in Google Sheets&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n<div>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"type:primaryImage alignnone size-full wp-image-731741\" data-pagespeed-lazy-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/google_sheets_her_1200x675.jpg?width=398&amp;trim=1,1&amp;bg-color=000&amp;pad=1,1 400w, https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/google_sheets_her_1200x675.jpg?width=1198&amp;trim=1,1&amp;bg-color=000&amp;pad=1,1 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, 400w, 1200w\" data-pagespeed-lazy-src=\"https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/google_sheets_her_1200x675.jpg?width=1198&amp;trim=1,1&amp;bg-color=000&amp;pad=1,1\" alt=\"\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\" src=\"\/pagespeed_static\/1.JiBnMqyl6S.gif\" onload=\"pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\" onerror=\"this.onerror=null;pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\"\/><\/p>\n<p>When you use Google Sheets to track financials, you\u2019ll likely run into numbers below zero. To make those negative numbers stand out, you can have them automatically <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/download-scripts-themes-apps\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"9\" title=\"Download Scripts &amp; Themes &amp; Apps\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">app<\/a>ear in red, which is much clearer than a minus sign or parentheses.<\/p>\n<p>You can accomplish this using one of two methods. There are some custom format options you can apply quickly. If you want more control, though, consider using setting up a conditional formatting rule.<\/p>\n<h2 role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Make_Negative_Numbers_Red_Using_a_Custom_Format\"><\/span>Make Negative Numbers Red Using a Custom Format<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Using a <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/669623\/how-to-change-and-create-custom-number-format-in-google-sheets\/\">custom number format in Google Sheets, you can apply a red color to a selected range of cells. Only those numbers that are negative will appear in red.<\/p>\n<p>Visit <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/spreadsheets\/\">Google Sheets<\/a>, sign in if necessary, and open your spreadsheet. Select the group of cells that contain or may contain negative numbers.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-778817\" data-pagespeed-lazy-src=\"https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/SelectCells-GoogleSheetsNegativeRed.png?trim=1,1&amp;bg-color=000&amp;pad=1,1\" alt=\"Selected range of cells\" width=\"400\" height=\"149\" src=\"\/pagespeed_static\/1.JiBnMqyl6S.gif\" onload=\"pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\" onerror=\"this.onerror=null;pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Go to the Format tab, move down to Number, and pick \u201cCustom Number Format.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-778819\" data-pagespeed-lazy-src=\"https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/FormatNumberCustom-GoogleSheetsNegativeRed.png?trim=1,1&amp;bg-color=000&amp;pad=1,1\" alt=\"Select Custom Number Format\" width=\"445\" height=\"500\" src=\"\/pagespeed_static\/1.JiBnMqyl6S.gif\" onload=\"pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\" onerror=\"this.onerror=null;pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\"\/><\/p>\n<p>In the window that appears, type \u201cred\u201d into the box at the top. You\u2019ll then see a few number formats to choose from. You can select each one to view a preview of how it\u2019ll display. These options place the negative numbers in parentheses with red font.<\/p>\n<p>When you see the one you want, click \u201cApply.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-778818\" data-pagespeed-lazy-src=\"https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/CustomFormatRed-GoogleSheetsNegativeRed.png?trim=1,1&amp;bg-color=000&amp;pad=1,1\" alt=\"Negative number formats\" width=\"500\" height=\"379\" src=\"\/pagespeed_static\/1.JiBnMqyl6S.gif\" onload=\"pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\" onerror=\"this.onerror=null;pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Your selected cells then update to display the new format for negative numbers. If you change a value to a positive number, the custom format will adapt removing the parentheses and red font.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-778816\" data-pagespeed-lazy-src=\"https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/SelectedCellsCustom-GoogleSheetsNegativeRed.png?trim=1,1&amp;bg-color=000&amp;pad=1,1\" alt=\"Selected cells formatted\" width=\"400\" height=\"149\" src=\"\/pagespeed_static\/1.JiBnMqyl6S.gif\" onload=\"pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\" onerror=\"this.onerror=null;pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\"\/><\/p>\n<p><strong>RELATED:<\/strong> <strong><em>How to Change and Create Custom Number Format in Google Sheets<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<h2 role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Make_Negative_Numbers_Red_Using_Conditional_Formatting\"><\/span>Make Negative Numbers Red Using Conditional Formatting<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>If you simply want to change the font for negative numbers to red without adjusting the format, you can <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/737992\/how-to-apply-a-color-scale-based-on-values-in-google-sheets\/\">use conditional formatting.<\/p>\n<p><strong>RELATED:<\/strong> <strong><em>How to Apply a Color Scale Based on Values in Google Sheets<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Select the cell range, go to the Format tab, and pick \u201cConditional Formatting.\u201d This opens the sidebar on the right for you to create your rule.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-778824\" data-pagespeed-lazy-src=\"https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/FormatConditionalFormatting-GoogleSheetsNegativeRed.png?trim=1,1&amp;bg-color=000&amp;pad=1,1\" alt=\"Select Conditional Formatting\" width=\"357\" height=\"500\" src=\"\/pagespeed_static\/1.JiBnMqyl6S.gif\" onload=\"pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\" onerror=\"this.onerror=null;pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Choose the Single Color tab at the top and confirm the selected cells in the Apply To Range box. You can also include an additional range of cells if you like.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-778822\" data-pagespeed-lazy-src=\"https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/ApplyToRange-GoogleSheetsNegativeRed.png?trim=1,1&amp;bg-color=000&amp;pad=1,1\" alt=\"Confirm the cell range\" width=\"350\" height=\"236\" src=\"\/pagespeed_static\/1.JiBnMqyl6S.gif\" onload=\"pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\" onerror=\"this.onerror=null;pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\"\/><\/p>\n<p>In the Format Rules section, open the Format Cells If drop-down box and select \u201cLess Than.\u201d In the box directly beneath, enter a zero.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-778823\" data-pagespeed-lazy-src=\"https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/LessThanZero-GoogleSheetsNegativeRed.png?trim=1,1&amp;bg-color=000&amp;pad=1,1\" alt=\"Select Less Than and enter zero\" width=\"350\" height=\"444\" src=\"\/pagespeed_static\/1.JiBnMqyl6S.gif\" onload=\"pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\" onerror=\"this.onerror=null;pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\"\/><\/p>\n<p>In the Formatting Style area, open the Fill Color palette and choose \u201cNone.\u201d Then, open the Text Color palette and pick a shade of red. Click \u201cDone.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-778821\" data-pagespeed-lazy-src=\"https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Formatting-GoogleSheetsNegativeRed.png?trim=1,1&amp;bg-color=000&amp;pad=1,1\" alt=\"Choose the red font\" width=\"350\" height=\"211\" src=\"\/pagespeed_static\/1.JiBnMqyl6S.gif\" onload=\"pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\" onerror=\"this.onerror=null;pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\"\/><\/p>\n<p>You\u2019ll see your selected cells update to display negative numbers in red, while keeping the format you use to denote negative numbers intact.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-778820\" data-pagespeed-lazy-src=\"https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/SelectedCellsConditional-GoogleSheetsNegativeRed.png?trim=1,1&amp;bg-color=000&amp;pad=1,1\" alt=\"Selected cells formatted\" width=\"400\" height=\"149\" src=\"\/pagespeed_static\/1.JiBnMqyl6S.gif\" onload=\"pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\" onerror=\"this.onerror=null;pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\"\/><\/p>\n<p>If you want to make negative numbers red in Google Sheets, these two easy ways let you set it up and then automatically turn them red when needed.<\/p>\n<p>For additional ways to work with values in Google Sheets, look at how to multiply or divide numbers.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><script>\n setTimeout(function(){\n  !function(f,b,e,v,n,t,s)\n  {if(f.fbq)return;n=f.fbq=function(){n.callMethod?\n  n.callMethod.apply(n,arguments):n.queue.push(arguments)};\n  if(!f._fbq)f._fbq=n;n.push=n;n.loaded=!0;n.version='2.0';\n  n.queue=[];t=b.createElement(e);t.async=!0;\n  t.src=v;s=b.getElementsByTagName(e)[0];\n  s.parentNode.insertBefore(t,s) } (window, document,'script',\n  'https:\/\/connect.facebook.net\/en_US\/fbevents.js');\n   fbq('init', '335401813750447');\n   fbq('track', 'PageView');\n  },3000);\n<\/script><\/p>\n<blockquote><p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\">If you liked the article, do not forget to share it with your friends. 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To make those negative numbers stand out, you can have them automatically appear in red, which is much clearer than a minus sign or parentheses. You can accomplish this using one&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":403526,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/google_sheets_her_1200x675.jpg?height=200p&trim=2,2,2,2","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[18],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-403525","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-technology"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/403525","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=403525"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/403525\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/403526"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=403525"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=403525"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=403525"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}