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259. SIGN Function

Learn how to determine whether a number is negative, zero, or positive.

📘 Lesson 259 of 728 ⏱ 8 min 🎯 Intermediate

The SIGN function returns an indicator representing whether a numeric expression is negative, zero, or positive.

SIGN can simplify logic when only the direction of a numeric value matters rather than its exact size.

Identify whether a sales variance is positive, negative, or zero.

SQL 
SELECT
    EmployeeID,
    SIGN(ActualSales - TargetSales) AS VarianceDirection
FROM EmployeeSales;

SIGN is useful in variance analysis, financial reporting, trend classification, and conditional calculations.

  • SIGN identifies numeric direction.
  • Negative values produce a negative indicator.
  • Zero produces zero.
  • Positive values produce a positive indicator.
  • It can simplify conditional logic.
What does SIGN do?

SIGN indicates whether a numeric value is negative, zero, or positive.

Where can SIGN be useful?

SIGN is useful when analyzing the direction of differences, such as positive or negative business variances.

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