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PERMUT Function (LibreOffice Calc)

Math Intermediate LibreOffice Calc Introduction not established

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.

Verification status: Consult the documentation, examples and any stated test scope below. How formula examples are checked

Availability and version history

  • Introduced: Documented by LibreOffice 26.8.1.1; original introduction not established.
  • Availability: Supported in LibreOffice 26.8.1.1, verified against its function registry. This identifies a supported release, not a final working version.
  • Scope: Desktop Calc, using the English function name. Availability in other spreadsheet applications is separate.
  • Checked: 2026-10-14 — function reference; versioned support. Documentation/source check; not a new native test. Existing example-specific test claims below retain their stated scope.
The **PERMUT** function returns the number of permutations of a given size from a larger set **without repetition** and **where order matters**. It is fundamental in probability, combinatorics, and counting arrangements. PERMUT pairs naturally with `PERMUTATIONA`, `COMBIN`, and `FACT`.

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
PERMUT is essential for counting ordered arrangements — from rankings to codes to probability models.
  • 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.