abs

The abs() function calculates the absolute value of a number.

abs(number)

number.abs()
Code language: JavaScript (javascript)

A number’s absolute value is simply how far it is away from zero. Therefore, the absolute value of a negative number is equal to its positive equivalent – e.g. abs(-5) == 5.

In mathematical notation, absolute values are expressed by wrapping a number in || signs:

Example Formulas

abs(-42) /* Output: 42 */

42.abs() /* Output: 42 */
Code language: JavaScript (javascript)

Example Database

Notion’s dateBetween function subtracts the second argument from the first, and returns a number depending on the specified unit of time (e.g. “hours” or “seconds”).

If the second argument is a later date than the first argument’s date, dateBetween() will return a negative number. The formula in the table below uses the abs() function to ensure that the output is always positive.

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“Seconds Between” Property Formula

abs(dateBetween(prop("Date 1"), prop("Date 2"), "seconds"))
Code language: JavaScript (javascript)

Other formula components used in this example:

dateBetween – Thomas Frank

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