PERMUT Function (LibreOffice Calc)
The PERMUT function in LibreOffice Calc returns the number of permutations of a given size from a larger set, without repetition and where order matters. It is essential for probability, combinatorics, and counting arrangements.
Compatibility
▾| Excel | ✔ |
| Gnumeric | ✔ |
| Google_sheets | ✔ |
| Libreoffice | ✔ |
| Numbers | ✔ |
| Onlyoffice | ✔ |
| Openoffice | ✔ |
| Wps | ✔ |
| Zoho | ✔ |
What the PERMUT Function Does ▾
- Computes permutations without repetition
- Order does matter
- Uses the formula:
n! / (n − k)! - Useful for probability, arrangements, and ordering problems
- Works with non-integer inputs (truncated)
It is designed to be precise, efficient, and universally compatible.
Syntax ▾
PERMUT(number; number_chosen)
Arguments
-
number:
Total number of items (n). -
number_chosen:
Number of items to arrange (k).
Both arguments must be non‑negative integers (or values that can be truncated to integers).
Basic Examples ▾
Permute 3 items from 5
=PERMUT(5; 3)
Returns 60.
Permute 2 items from 10
=PERMUT(10; 2)
Returns 90.
PERMUT with non-integer input
=PERMUT(6.9; 2.1)
Equivalent to PERMUT(6; 2) → returns 30.
PERMUT with cell references
=PERMUT(A1; B1)
Computes permutations using values in A1 and B1.
Advanced Examples ▾
Number of ways to assign positions
=PERMUT(A1; B1)
Useful for ranking, ordering, and arrangement problems.
Manual permutation formula using factorials
=FACT(A1) / FACT(A1 - B1)
Equivalent to PERMUT(A1; B1).
Probability of drawing ordered samples
=PERMUT(52; 5)
Number of ordered 5‑card sequences from a deck.
Permutations for password or code generation (no repetition)
=PERMUT(10; 4)
Number of 4‑digit codes using digits 0–9 without repeating digits.
PERMUT for seating arrangements
=PERMUT(A1; A1)
Equivalent to FACT(A1).
PERMUT for tournament bracket ordering
=PERMUT(A1; B1)
Counts possible seedings or match orders.
Relationship to COMBIN
=PERMUT(n; k) = COMBIN(n; k) * FACT(k)
Always true because permutations = combinations × arrangements.
Common Errors and Fixes ▾
Err:502 — Invalid argument
Occurs when:
- number < 0
- number_chosen < 0
- number_chosen > number
- arguments are text
- arguments cannot be coerced to integers
Err:503 — Overflow
Occurs when:
- factorial components exceed Calc’s numeric limit
- n is too large (e.g., PERMUT(2000; 1000))
PERMUT returns unexpected results
Cause:
- Non-integer values are truncated
Example:PERMUT(5.8; 2.9)→PERMUT(5; 2)→20.
Best Practices ▾
- Use PERMUT when order matters and repetition is not allowed
- Use PERMUTATIONA when repetition is allowed
- Use COMBIN when order does not matter
- Avoid large inputs (factorials grow extremely fast)
- Use FACT and FACTDOUBLE for manual combinatorics
Related Patterns and Alternatives ▾
- Use PERMUTATIONA for permutations with repetition
- Use COMBIN for combinations without repetition
- Use COMBINA for combinations with repetition
- Use FACT and FACTDOUBLE for factorial-based formulas
- Use FACT(n) / FACT(n − k) for manual permutations
By mastering PERMUT and its related combinatorics functions, you can build powerful probability, counting, and statistical models in LibreOffice Calc.