Converting a number to a positive number in MySQL

[dataguy]

This seems like it would be simple, but I can't figure out how to do it.

I have a value which may or may not be positive, but I need it to be positive every time. Is there a function for this?

[whoisgregg]

You can get the absolute value using ABS():
http://dev.mysql.com/doc/refman/5.0/en/mathematical-functions.html#function_abs [dev.mysql.com]

[dataguy]

Oh, that's exactly what I was looking for. I should have known that.

Thanks!