# Google Sheets UPLUS Function: Syntax, Examples & Tips - URL: https://betteranalyst.com/google-sheets/uplus-function - Author: Better Analyst Formula Bot is now Better Analyst—same account, more powerful analysis.Formula Bot is now Better Analyst—same account and workflows, with more powerful analysis, dashboards, and automation. [Learn what changed](https://betteranalyst.com/formula-bot-is-now-better-analyst) Returns a specified number unchanged; the function form of the unary plus (leading +) operator. ``` =UPLUS(value) ``` Generate FormulaExplain Formula One free generation or explanation per browser, shared across Excel and Google Sheets. Account usage limits apply afterward. Describe the UPLUS you need in plain EnglishGenerate Formula ## Parameters | Parameter | Required | Description | | - | - | - | | **value** | Yes | The value to return. It is passed through unchanged. | ## What Is UPLUS? UPLUS returns its argument unchanged. `=UPLUS(7)` returns 7 and `=UPLUS(-7)` returns −7. It is the function form of the **unary plus** — a plus sign placed in front of a single value, as in `=+A2`. That may sound pointless, and in everyday spreadsheets it mostly is: UPLUS exists so that every operator in Google Sheets has a matching function. Knowing what it does (and what it doesn't) helps you read formulas imported from other tools and avoid wrong assumptions. ## How UPLUS Relates to the `+` Operator Like the minus sign, the plus sign has two roles: | Usage | Example | Function | | - | - | - | | Unary plus (one value) | `=+A2` | `=UPLUS(A2)` | | Binary plus (add two values) | `=A2+B2` | `=ADD(A2, B2)` | UPLUS is the counterpart of [UMINUS](https://betteranalyst.com/google-sheets/uminus-function) (unary minus, which flips the sign) and [UNARY\_PERCENT](https://betteranalyst.com/google-sheets/unarypercent-function) (the trailing `%`). ## What UPLUS Does *Not* Do - **It doesn't make numbers positive.** `UPLUS(-5)` is still −5. To force a positive value, use ABS. - **It doesn't convert text to numbers.** Google documents UPLUS only as returning a number unchanged, so don't rely on it to turn text into a number. To convert text, use VALUE, or the double-negative `--A2`. - **It doesn't change booleans.** TRUE is returned as TRUE. ## Basic Examples ### Return a number unchanged ``` =UPLUS(42) ``` Returns 42. ### Pass through a cell value ``` =UPLUS(B2) ``` Returns whatever B2 contains. ### Formulas that start with a plus sign Many people who learned spreadsheets in Lotus 1-2-3 start formulas with `+`, for example `=+B2+C2`. The leading plus is a unary plus on B2 and has no effect; the result is the same as `=B2+C2`. ## Why Does UPLUS Exist? Google Sheets defines a function for every operator so that formulas can be expressed entirely as function calls. This is useful for: - **Formula generation tools** that build expressions programmatically. - **Documentation and teaching**, when explaining how Sheets parses `=+A1`. - **Consistency**, so that the operator set (ADD, MINUS, MULTIPLY, DIVIDE, POW, EQ, NE, GT, GTE, LT, LTE, UMINUS, UPLUS, UNARY\_PERCENT, CONCAT) is complete. ## Common Use Cases - Understanding legacy formulas that begin with `+`. - Placeholders in templates where a transformation might later be applied — swapping UPLUS for UMINUS flips a column's sign without restructuring the formula. - Teaching operator-to-function mapping. ## Common Errors - **Expecting a positive result**: Use ABS(value) instead. - **Expecting text-to-number conversion**: Use VALUE(value) or `--value`. - **Wrong argument count**: UPLUS takes exactly one argument. ## Tips and Best Practices - In practice you can delete a leading `+` from any formula without changing the result. - If you see UPLUS in a shared sheet, it's almost always a no-op; check whether the author meant ABS or VALUE. - For a sign switch that you want to toggle, store 1 or −1 in a cell and multiply by it instead. ## Related Functions [UMINUS](https://betteranalyst.com/google-sheets/uminus-function), [UNARY\_PERCENT](https://betteranalyst.com/google-sheets/unarypercent-function), ADD, [MINUS](https://betteranalyst.com/google-sheets/minus-function), ABS, and VALUE. ## Example use case An accountant inherits a workbook built in an older spreadsheet program where every formula begins with a plus sign, like =+B2+C2. Recognising the leading + as UPLUS — which returns its value unchanged — confirms the formulas are safe to keep as they are. ## Need more help with Google Sheets formulas? Sign up for Better Analyst and get unlimited AI-powered formula generation, explanations, and advanced data analysis. [Create Free Account](https://betteranalyst.com/signup)[Try Formula Generator](https://betteranalyst.com/excel-ai) ## Google Sheets how-to guides - [How To Alphabetize In Google Sheets](https://betteranalyst.com/google-sheets/how-to-alphabetize-in-google-sheets) - [How To Autofit In Google Sheets](https://betteranalyst.com/google-sheets/how-to-autofit-in-google-sheets) - [How To Calculate Percentage In Google Sheets](https://betteranalyst.com/google-sheets/how-to-calculate-percentage-in-google-sheets) - [How To Combine Two Columns In Google Sheets](https://betteranalyst.com/google-sheets/how-to-combine-two-columns-in-google-sheets) - [How To Copy Formula In Google Sheets](https://betteranalyst.com/google-sheets/how-to-copy-formula-in-google-sheets) - [How To Count Unique Values In Google Sheets](https://betteranalyst.com/google-sheets/how-to-count-unique-values-in-google-sheets) - [How To Create A Pivot Table In Google Sheets](https://betteranalyst.com/google-sheets/how-to-create-a-pivot-table-in-google-sheets) - [How To Divide In Google Sheets](https://betteranalyst.com/google-sheets/how-to-divide-in-google-sheets) ## Explore all Google Sheets formulas Browse our complete library of Google Sheets formula guides Compare your options ## Decide with evidence, not a sales pitch. 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