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ATAN2 Function (OpenOffice Calc)

Math Intermediate OpenOffice Calc OpenOffice.org 3.0

The ATAN2 function in OpenOffice Calc returns the angle (in radians) from the X-axis to a point (x, y), with full quadrant awareness. Learn syntax, vector-angle usage, 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 ATAN2 function in OpenOffice Calc returns the angle (in radians) between the positive X‑axis and a point defined by coordinates (x, y). Unlike ATAN, ATAN2 correctly identifies the quadrant, making it essential for geometry, robotics, navigation, physics, and vector math.

What the ATAN2 Function Does

  • Computes the angle of a vector (x, y)
  • Output is in radians
  • Handles all four quadrants
  • Avoids division‑by‑zero errors
  • Works across sheets

ATAN2 is ideal when you need true directional angles.

Syntax

ATAN2(NumberX; NumberY)

Arguments:

  • NumberX — The X coordinate
  • NumberY — The Y coordinate
ATAN2 returns an angle in radians.
Convert to degrees using:
ATAN2(x; y) * 180 / PI()

Output Range

ATAN2 returns angles in the range:

[ -\pi < \theta \le \pi ]

This covers all four quadrants.

Quadrant Behavior

X Y Quadrant Angle Returned
+ + I 0 to +Ï€/2
− + II +π/2 to +π
− − III −π to −π/2
+ − IV −π/2 to 0
0 + Positive Y‑axis +π/2
0 − Negative Y‑axis −π/2
+ 0 Positive X‑axis 0
− 0 Negative X‑axis ±π

Basic Examples

Angle of vector (1, 1)

=ATAN2(1; 1)

Result (radians): 0.785398163
Equivalent to 45°.

Convert to degrees

=ATAN2(1; 1) * 180 / PI()

Angle of vector using cell references

=ATAN2(A1; B1)

Angle of vector (−1, 1)

=ATAN2(-1; 1)

Result: 135° (in radians)

Advanced Examples

Compute angle of a 2D vector

=ATAN2(X; Y)

Convert angle to degrees

=DEGREES(ATAN2(X; Y))

Normalize angle to 0–360°

=MOD(DEGREES(ATAN2(X; Y)) + 360; 360)

Compute direction between two points

=ATAN2(X2 - X1; Y2 - Y1)

Robotics / navigation heading

=MOD(DEGREES(ATAN2(TargetX - X; TargetY - Y)) + 360; 360)

ATAN2 across sheets

=ATAN2(Sheet1.A1; Sheet1.B1)

ATAN2 in array formulas

=ATAN2(A1:A10; B1:B10)

Confirm with Ctrl+Shift+Enter.

Compute angle between two vectors

[ \theta = \text{atan2}(x_1 y_2 - y_1 x_2,\ x_1 x_2 + y_1 y_2) ]

Calc:

=ATAN2(x1*y2 - y1*x2; x1*x2 + y1*y2)

Convert polar → Cartesian

X:

=Radius * COS(AngleRadians)

Y:

=Radius * SIN(AngleRadians)

Convert Cartesian → polar

Angle:

=ATAN2(X; Y)

Radius:

=SQRT(X^2 + Y^2)

Common Errors and Fixes

ATAN2 returns Err:502 (Invalid argument)

Occurs when:

  • X or Y is text
  • X or Y is empty
  • A malformed reference is used

ATAN2 returns unexpected angles

Possible causes:

  • Forgetting that output is in radians
  • Using ATAN instead of ATAN2
  • Mixing up argument order (Calc uses ATAN2(X; Y))
  • Expecting 0–360° instead of −π to +Ï€

ATAN2 ignores values you expected it to include

ATAN2 ignores:

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

ATAN2 includes values you expected it to ignore

ATAN2 includes:

  • Dates
  • Times
  • Numeric results of formulas

Err:508 — Missing parenthesis

Usually caused by:

  • Missing )
  • Using commas instead of semicolons

Best Practices

  • Use ATAN2 for true vector angles
  • Convert radians to degrees when needed
  • Normalize angles to 0–360° for navigation
  • Use named ranges for coordinates
  • Prefer ATAN2 over ATAN for any 2D geometry
If you’re working with directions, vectors, or rotations, ATAN2 is the gold standard — ATAN can’t tell you the quadrant, but ATAN2 always can.