Today we are going to learn about the Excel COMBIN function. This tutorial will provide a complete overview of the COMBIN function in detail, the objective of this function, and some relatable real-life examples about the uses of the COMBIN function in Excel.
So. let’s start!
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Introduction to COMBIN Function in Excel
- Combination
In mathematical calculations, Combination is defined as a technique of selecting items from a provided list of items without considering the order of selection. Don’t confuse Combination with Permutation! The main difference between Combination and Permutation is that: Permutation takes the sequence of order into account, whereas Combination ignores the order.
COMBIN function is a Math and Trigonometry type function for performing mathematical calculations in Excel. This function determines the possible number of combinations from a given data range.
- Objective
COMBIN function is used to determine the total possible number of combinations for a given number of items without any repetition in Excel.
- Syntax
=COMBIN(number, number_chosen)
- Argument
Argument | Required/Optional | Value |
---|---|---|
number | Required | The number of items. It should be greater than or equal to zero as well as number_chosen. Non-integer values are truncated if entered into this parameter. |
number_chosen | Required | The number of items in each combination. It must be greater than or equal to zero. Non-integer values are truncated for this parameter also. |
- Output
Returns the number of combinations for a given number of items.
- Versions
COMBIN function was first introduced in MS Excel in version 2000. So it is workable from this version and later on. I have used MS 365 for this article. You may proceed with your functionable version.
Common Uses of COMBIN Function in Excel
Let’s say, five friends named Mike, Adam, Stuart, David, and Parker want to play games by forming a team.
The total number of players here is 5. The players can form teams with different number (i.e. starting from 1 to 5) of members in a group. We want to find out how they can form teams with 2 players in a group.
So. let’s check how we can perform this task. In this section, we will see the use of the COMBIN function for finding the possible number of combinations of players. I will demonstrate them here with proper illustrations. Let’s check them now!
1. Calculate Number of Combinations Directly with COMBIN Function
In the concerning dataset, we have seen that there are 5 players in total. Our aim is to form some teams with 2 members in a group. So we need to find out the possible number of combinations of 2 players out of 5. For this, we will apply the COMBIN function. You can just directly input the parameters into the arguments of the function. Let’s proceed with the following steps.
⏩ Steps:
- First of all, select a cell where you want to find the possible number of combinations from your dataset.
- Then, type the following formula in that cell:
=COMBIN(5,2)
Here,
- 5= Number (i.e. total number of players)
- 2= Number Chosen (i.e. number of players in a group)
- Then, press ENTER. The cell will auto-calculate the number of combinations from the input parameters of the COMBIN function. You can see that the cell has shown 10 as output. That means there are 10 possible groups having 2 members in each of the groups.
Just think with real-life examples and you will find the 10 possible groups. We have shown the 10 duos with the 5 members of our dataset.
Read More: How to Find Combinations Without Repetition in Excel
2. Use Excel COMBIN Function with Cell Reference
In the previous dataset, we used the value in the argument directly. We can also use the cell reference in the argument of the function. In our previous dataset, the number of players was 5 in total. Now, we will calculate the possible teams starting from 1 to 5 in each group.
Follow the steps below for this purpose.
⏩ Steps:
- Firstly, select a cell for finding the number of possible teams with 1 member in each group.
- Then, type the following formula in the cell.
=COMBIN($E$7,B5)
Here,
- $E$7= Number (i.e. total number of players)
- B5= Number Chosen
- Then, press ENTER and you will see that 5 teams are possible with 1 member in each group. This definitely makes sense, you don’t even need to overthink that.
- Now, use the Fill Handle tool to copy the formula for finding the other groups with members 2, 3, 4, and 5 in each of them. Just drag the tool downward or double-click it.
- Hence, you will get all the possible combinations with corresponding chosen numbers.
Read More: How to Find All Combinations of 1 Column in Excel (2 Handy Ways)
3. COUNTA Nested in COMBIN Function
Sometimes you may don’t have the numbers directly that you need to input as the argument, rather you have clue and you need to find out the numbers first.
In that case, using the COUNTA function can be a fruitful way for serving your purpose. The COUNTA function counts the total number of non-empty cells in a given range. So, using the COUNTA function nested in the COMBIN function will act as an argument for the COMBIN function.
⏩ Steps:
- First type the following formula to find the number of combinations of 2 members in each group.
=COMBIN(COUNTA(C5:C9),2)
Here, the COUNTA function counts the total number of cells with the range (C5:C9). So, it counts the total number of players in that range. We want to create teams with 2 players and so, we used the second argument 2.
- Next, press ENTER and you will get your desired output.
Read More: How to Sum All Possible Combinations in Excel
4. Use COMBIN Function in VBA Code
You can also use the COMBIN function in a VBA code to find the same output for the concerned dataset.
⏩ Steps:
- First of all, press ALT+F11 to activate the Visual Basic Editor window.
- Now, Insert a new Module and apply the following code in the Module window.
Code:
Sub use_COMBIN_function()
Dim rfCombin As Double
rfCombin = Application.WorksheetFunction.Combin(5, 2)
MsgBox (rfCombin)
End Sub
Here, we have applied code for creating groups of 2 items out of 5.
- Then, press ALT+Q to switch back to the worksheet.
- Next, press ALT+F8 to open the Macro dialog box-> select the Macro Name and click Run.
- The output will be shown in a message box finally.
Read More: How to Show All Combinations of 5 Columns in Excel
💡 Quick Notes
- The function returns #VALUE! error when you apply non-numerical value as an argument.
- Formulated cell will show #NUM! error when the first argument is less than 0 or Negative and the second argument is negative or greater than the first argument.
- COMBIN function ignores repetition. If the sequence of the order needs to be considered, then you need to use the PERMUT function instead of the COMBIN function as the order is significant for the PERMUT function.
Conclusion
In this tutorial, I have tried to show you some ways of using the COMBIN function in Excel. Hope you like reading the article and from now on you can apply this function for serving your purpose. Don’t forget to leave a comment if you have any queries or feedback regarding this article. Keep in touch with ExcelDemy for getting acquainted with more Excel functions.
Happy Excelling!!!