PRODUCT Function (OpenOffice Calc)

Math Beginner OpenOffice Calc Introduced in OpenOffice.org 3.0
multiplication math numeric-data arrays calculation

The PRODUCT function in OpenOffice Calc multiplies all numbers in a list, range, or array. Learn syntax, examples, array behavior, common errors, and best practices.

Compatibility

â–¾

What the PRODUCT Function Does â–¾

  • Multiplies all numeric values in the arguments
  • Accepts individual numbers, ranges, and arrays
  • Ignores text and empty cells
  • Includes dates and times (because they are numeric)
  • Works across sheets
  • Useful for compound math, scaling, and probability

PRODUCT is ideal when you need to multiply many values at once.

Syntax â–¾

PRODUCT(number1; number2; ...)

Arguments:

  • number1, number2, … — Individual values, cell references, or ranges
PRODUCT treats empty cells as 1, not 0.

Basic Examples â–¾

Multiply a list of numbers

=PRODUCT(2; 3; 4)

Result: 24

Multiply all values in a range

=PRODUCT(A1:A10)

Multiply multiple ranges

=PRODUCT(A1:A10; C1:C10)

Multiply a range and a constant

=PRODUCT(A1:A10; 0.5)

Advanced Examples â–¾

PRODUCT across sheets

=PRODUCT(Sheet1.A1:A20)

PRODUCT with conditions (workaround)

OpenOffice Calc does not have PRODUCTIF, but you can use:

=PRODUCT(IF(A1:A100="North"; B1:B100))

Confirm with Ctrl+Shift+Enter.

PRODUCT excluding zeros

=PRODUCT(IF(A1:A100<>0; A1:A100))

Confirm with Ctrl+Shift+Enter.

PRODUCT for probability calculations

If A1:A5 contains probabilities:

=PRODUCT(A1:A5)

PRODUCT for scaling values

Multiply all values by 1.2:

=PRODUCT(A1:A10; 1.2)

PRODUCT in a 3D range

=PRODUCT(Sheet1:Sheet5.A1:A10)

PRODUCT with arrays

Multiply corresponding elements:

=PRODUCT(A1:A5 * B1:B5)

Confirm with Ctrl+Shift+Enter.

Common Errors and Fixes â–¾

PRODUCT returns 0 unexpectedly

Possible causes:

  • One or more values are 0
  • Text numbers not converted to numeric
  • Hidden zeros in the range

PRODUCT returns Err:502 (Invalid argument)

Occurs when:

  • A malformed range is used
  • A text argument is not quoted properly

PRODUCT returns Err:508 (Missing parenthesis)

Usually caused by:

  • Missing )
  • Using commas instead of semicolons

PRODUCT ignores values you expected it to include

PRODUCT ignores:

  • Text numbers ("123")
  • Empty cells
  • Logical values (TRUE/FALSE)
  • Errors

PRODUCT includes values you expected it to ignore

PRODUCT includes:

  • Dates
  • Times
  • Numeric results of formulas

Best Practices â–¾

  • Use PRODUCT for compound multiplication
  • Use array formulas for conditional multiplication
  • Convert imported text numbers to real numbers
  • Avoid mixing text and numbers in the same column
  • Use named ranges for cleaner formulas
  • Use SUMPRODUCT for weighted calculations
If you need to multiply corresponding values across two ranges, consider using SUMPRODUCT for more advanced vector math.

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