Excel SQRT Function

Summary
The Excel SQRT function returns the square root of a positive number. SQRT returns an error if number is negative.
Purpose
Find the positive square root of a number
Return value
Positive square root
Syntax
=SQRT (number)
Arguments
- number - The number to get the square root of.
Version
Usage notes
The Excel SQRT function returns the square root of a positive number. SQRT returns an error if number is negative.
The SQRT function takes one argument, number, which must be a numeric value. If number is not numeric, SQRT returns a #VALUE! error. If number is negative, SQRT returns a #NUM! error.
Examples
Negative numbers
The SQRT function will return a #NUM! error when number is negative:
=SQRT(-9) // returns #NUM!
To get the square root of a negative number (as if the number was positive), wrap the number in the ABS function like this:
Notes
- If number is not numeric, SQRT returns a #VALUE! error.
- If number is negative, SQRT returns a #NUM! error.
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