Coefficients, But No 'constants', Format typ

[dhstraayer]

From the help file: "The coefficient format types are useful for coefficients in a polynomial. For example, if we want to have the coefficients in a polynomial such as 3x2 + 2x - 4 = 0 be represented as variables, we would use something like v1x2 v2x v3 = 0, change the format for v1 to coefficient (1st), and change the format for v2 and v3 to coefficient. The result would be correctly formatted and spaced for positive and negative coefficients (not zero)."

But V3 does not work right. If V3 is negative, we get something like: ... -5, but there is no plus sign if V3 is positive. I have to create two new variables, V3sign and v3abs, and load them with IF statements. If the purpose of "coefficients" is to avoid having to do all that dancing with IF statements, why not a "constant" format that would evaluate -1 to "-1", 1 to "1", and 0 to ""?

[Support DC]

You can use the format Coefficient 1st for v1 and the format Coefficient for v2. For v3 you will need to define two new variables and use the sgns function to display the sign of the variable and the abs function to display the absolute value of the variable. You will not need an If statement.
The coefficient format was designed strickly for coefficients and not for constants. I will pass along your suggestion for a "Constant" format. Most of our enhancements over the years have come from suggestions from our users.