PRODUCT Function (OpenOffice Calc)
The PRODUCT function in OpenOffice Calc multiplies all numbers in a list, range, or array. Learn syntax, examples, array behavior, common errors, 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 PRODUCT function in OpenOffice Calc multiplies all numbers in a list, range, or array. It is the multiplication equivalent of SUM and is especially useful for compound calculations, scaling factors, probability computations, and array‑based math.
What the PRODUCT Function Does
- Multiplies all numeric values in the arguments
- Accepts individual numbers, ranges, and arrays
- Ignores text and empty cells
- Includes dates and times (because they are numeric)
- Works across sheets
- Useful for compound math, scaling, and probability
PRODUCT is ideal when you need to multiply many values at once.
Syntax
PRODUCT(number1; number2; ...)
Arguments:
- number1, number2, … — Individual values, cell references, or ranges
Basic Examples
Multiply a list of numbers
=PRODUCT(2; 3; 4)
Result: 24
Multiply all values in a range
=PRODUCT(A1:A10)
Multiply multiple ranges
=PRODUCT(A1:A10; C1:C10)
Multiply a range and a constant
=PRODUCT(A1:A10; 0.5)
Advanced Examples
PRODUCT across sheets
=PRODUCT(Sheet1.A1:A20)
PRODUCT with conditions (workaround)
OpenOffice Calc does not have PRODUCTIF, but you can use:
=PRODUCT(IF(A1:A100="North"; B1:B100))
Confirm with Ctrl+Shift+Enter.
PRODUCT excluding zeros
=PRODUCT(IF(A1:A100<>0; A1:A100))
Confirm with Ctrl+Shift+Enter.
PRODUCT for probability calculations
If A1:A5 contains probabilities:
=PRODUCT(A1:A5)
PRODUCT for scaling values
Multiply all values by 1.2:
=PRODUCT(A1:A10; 1.2)
PRODUCT in a 3D range
=PRODUCT(Sheet1:Sheet5.A1:A10)
PRODUCT with arrays
Multiply corresponding elements:
=PRODUCT(A1:A5 * B1:B5)
Confirm with Ctrl+Shift+Enter.
Common Errors and Fixes
PRODUCT returns 0 unexpectedly
Possible causes:
- One or more values are 0
- Text numbers not converted to numeric
- Hidden zeros in the range
PRODUCT returns Err:502 (Invalid argument)
Occurs when:
- A malformed range is used
- A text argument is not quoted properly
PRODUCT returns Err:508 (Missing parenthesis)
Usually caused by:
- Missing
) - Using commas instead of semicolons
PRODUCT ignores values you expected it to include
PRODUCT ignores:
- Text numbers (
"123") - Empty cells
- Logical values (TRUE/FALSE)
- Errors
PRODUCT includes values you expected it to ignore
PRODUCT includes:
- Dates
- Times
- Numeric results of formulas
Best Practices
- Use PRODUCT for compound multiplication
- Use array formulas for conditional multiplication
- Convert imported text numbers to real numbers
- Avoid mixing text and numbers in the same column
- Use named ranges for cleaner formulas
- Use SUMPRODUCT for weighted calculations