LOG10 Function (OpenOffice Calc)
The LOG10 function in OpenOffice Calc returns the base‑10 logarithm of a number. Learn syntax, domain rules, 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 LOG10 function in OpenOffice Calc returns the base‑10 logarithm of a number. This is the “common logarithm” used in engineering, scientific notation, decibels, and scaling transformations.
What the LOG10 Function Does
- Computes the logarithm of a number using base 10
- Only accepts positive numbers
- Useful for scientific notation, decibels, scaling, and data normalization
- Works across sheets
- Equivalent to
LOG(number; 10)
LOG10 is ideal when you need common logarithmic scaling.
Syntax
LOG10(number)
Arguments:
- number — A positive numeric value
Domain Rules
| Input | Valid? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| number > 0 | ✔ | Required |
| number = 0 | ✘ | Undefined |
| number < 0 | ✘ | Undefined |
| text | ✘ | Error |
Mathematically:
[ \log_{10}(x) \text{ is defined only for } x > 0 ]
Basic Examples
Log base 10 of a number
=LOG10(100)
Result: 2
Log base 10 of 1
=LOG10(1)
Result: 0
Log base 10 using a cell reference
=LOG10(A1)
Equivalent LOG expression
=LOG(A1; 10)
Advanced Examples
Convert scientific notation to exponent
=LOG10(A1)
Example:
If A1 = 1,000,000 → result = 6
Decibel (dB) calculations
Power ratio:
=10 * LOG10(P2 / P1)
Amplitude ratio:
=20 * LOG10(A2 / A1)
Normalize data on a log scale
=LOG10(A1 + 1)
Reverse a LOG10 transformation
=POWER(10; A1)
LOG10 across sheets
=LOG10(Sheet1.A1)
Logarithmic regression components
=LOG10(Y1:Y10)
Confirm with Ctrl+Shift+Enter.
Convert between log bases
[ \log_b(x) = \frac{\log_{10}(x)}{\log_{10}(b)} ]
Calc:
=LOG10(A1) / LOG10(B1)
Common Errors and Fixes
LOG10 returns Err:502 (Invalid argument)
Occurs when:
- number ≤ 0
- number is text
- number is empty
- A malformed reference is used
LOG10 returns Err:503 (Numeric overflow)
Occurs when:
- number is extremely large
- result exceeds Calc’s numeric limits
LOG10 returns unexpected results
Possible causes:
- Using percentages incorrectly (5% vs 0.05)
- Negative or zero values from formulas
- Text numbers not converted to numeric
LOG10 ignores values you expected it to include
LOG10 ignores:
- Text numbers (
"123") - Empty cells
- Logical values
- Errors
LOG10 includes values you expected it to ignore
LOG10 includes:
- Dates
- Times
- Numeric results of formulas
Err:508 — Missing parenthesis
Usually caused by:
- Missing
() - Using commas instead of semicolons
Best Practices
- Use LOG10 for engineering, scientific notation, and decibel math
- Use LOG for custom bases
- Use LN for natural logs
- Validate inputs to avoid negative or zero values
- Convert imported text numbers to real numbers
- Use named ranges for cleaner formulas