In Excel formulas, the double minus (--) is known as the "double unary operator." Its main purpose is to convert Boolean values (TRUE/FALSE) into numeric values (1/0).
How it works:
• TRUE becomes 1
• FALSE becomes 0
Example: Suppose you have an array formula like:

=SUM(--(B2:B20="Gamma"))

• (B2:B20="Gamma") produces an array of TRUE/FALSE.
• --(B2:B20="Gamma") converts that array to 1/0.
• SUM(...) then adds up the number of matches.

Some Excel functions (like SUM, SUMPRODUCT) require numbers, not Booleans.
The double unary is a concise way to force this conversion.