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, examples and any stated test scope below. How formula examples are checked
Availability and version history
- Introduced: Documented by Apache OpenOffice 4.1.16; original introduction not established.
- Availability: Supported in Apache OpenOffice 4.1.16, 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 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