ASIN Function (OpenOffice Calc)
The ASIN function in OpenOffice Calc returns the arcsine (inverse sine) of a value, in radians. Learn syntax, domain limits, examples, and best practices.
Verification status: Consult the documentation and examples below. Native application testing has not been documented for this guide. How formula examples are checked
The ASIN function in OpenOffice Calc returns the arcsine (inverse sine) of a value. The result is an angle in radians whose sine equals the input. ASIN is essential for geometry, physics, engineering, and any calculation where you need to recover an angle from a ratio.
What the ASIN Function Does
- Returns the angle whose sine equals the input
- Output is in radians
- Input must be between −1 and 1
- Useful for geometry, slopes, rotations, and inverse trig calculations
- Works across sheets
ASIN is ideal when you need to recover an angle from a ratio.
Syntax
ASIN(number)
Arguments:
- number — A value between −1 and 1
Convert to degrees using:
ASIN(x) * 180 / PI()
Domain Rules
| Input | Valid? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| −1 ≤ x ≤ 1 | ✔ | Required |
| x < −1 or x > 1 | ✘ | Undefined |
| text | ✘ | Error |
Mathematically:
[ \text{asin}(x) \text{ is defined only for } -1 \le x \le 1 ]
Basic Examples
Arcsine of 0.5
=ASIN(0.5)
Result (radians): 0.523598776
Convert arcsine to degrees
=ASIN(0.5) * 180 / PI()
Result: 30
ASIN using a cell reference
=ASIN(A1)
Convert degrees to radians before applying SIN, then invert
=ASIN(SIN(RADIANS(30)))
Advanced Examples
Recover angle from opposite/hypotenuse ratio
=ASIN(Opposite / Hypotenuse)
Angle of elevation
=ASIN(Height / Distance)
ASIN across sheets
=ASIN(Sheet1.A1)
ASIN in array formulas
=ASIN(A1:A10)
Confirm with Ctrl+Shift+Enter.
Recover angle from normalized vector
=ASIN(Y / Length)
Convert arcsine result to degrees
=DEGREES(ASIN(A1))
Solve for angle in a right triangle
=ASIN(Opp / Hyp)
Use ASIN to compute latitude from spherical coordinates
=ASIN(Z / Radius)
Common Errors and Fixes
ASIN returns Err:502 (Invalid argument)
Occurs when:
- Input < −1 or > 1
- Input is text
- Input is empty
- A malformed reference is used
ASIN returns unexpected results
Possible causes:
- Forgetting that output is in radians
- Using degrees without converting
- Ratio values slightly outside range due to rounding
ASIN ignores values you expected it to include
ASIN ignores:
- Text numbers (
"123") - Empty cells
- Logical values
- Errors
ASIN includes values you expected it to ignore
ASIN includes:
- Dates
- Times
- Numeric results of formulas
Err:508 — Missing parenthesis
Usually caused by:
- Missing
) - Using commas instead of semicolons
Best Practices
- Always check that input is between −1 and 1
- Convert radians to degrees when needed
- Use ASIN for recovering angles from ratios
- Use named ranges for triangle sides and vector components
- Pair ASIN with SIN for reversible transformations