SIN Function in SoftMaker PlanMaker 2026: Syntax, Examples & Troubleshooting

On the unit circle, SIN(angle) is the vertical coordinate (and in a right triangle it corresponds to opposite side ÷ hypotenuse). The argument is radians, not degrees. In particular, entering =SIN(30) means 30 radians, not 30°. For an angle written in degrees, use =SIN(RADIANS(30)), or =SIN(30*PI()/180). SoftMaker expressly documents the radians requirement and the RADIANS conversion route.

=SIN(Number)

No other arguments are documented. A multi-argument form or an omitted angle is not valid documented syntax. SoftMaker’s 2026 page provides the vendor examples SIN(PI()/2) → 1 and SIN(RADIANS(90)) → 1. The following additional expected outputs are independently calculated.

Do not use =SIN(PI())=0 as a robust spreadsheet assertion. For calculations involving near-zero trigonometric values, compare with a tolerance such as =ABS(SIN(PI()))<0.000000001; the expected mathematical condition is TRUE, but its actual PlanMaker display remains untested.

Create this dataset. Put the headings Degrees, Radians, Sine, Expected sine in A1:D1. Fill A2:A6 with 0, 30, 45, 90, 180. Enter =RADIANS(A2) in B2, =SIN(B2) in C2, and copy both through row 6. The mathematical outputs in C2:C6 are approximately 0; 0.5; 0.707106781; 1; 0. The final row should be very close to zero, not necessarily an exact numeric zero in floating-point arithmetic. For a comparison column, type 0, 0.5, 0.707106781186548, 1, 0 in D2:D6, then compare =ABS(C2-D2)<0.000000001 row by row.

These cells and outputs are a reproducible test specification; no file was opened in PlanMaker for this guide.

Roof or ramp rise from a length and incline. Put a 12-metre sloping length into A2 and an incline angle of 30 degrees into B2. =A2*SIN(RADIANS(B2)) returns an independently calculated 6 metres of vertical rise. The length must be the sloping length, not the horizontal run. For horizontal projection, use COS instead.

Seasonal signal with a baseline and amplitude. With baseline 10 in A2, amplitude 4 in B2, and phase angle 30 degrees in C2, =A2+B2*SIN(RADIANS(C2)) has an expected result of 12. This models a periodic offset; it is not a date- or time-series forecasting function. Use a consistent unit for all phases and convert degree inputs first.

Inverse check. =DEGREES(ASIN(0.5)) is mathematically 30 degrees, consistent with SIN(RADIANS(30))=0.5. ASIN produces a principal angle, not every angle that shares the same sine. Both ASIN and DEGREES are separate vendor-documented functions, but the nested combination was calculated independently here.

• The result is unlike a calculator set to degrees: PlanMaker SIN consumes radians. Check =SIN(RADIANS(A2)) rather than =SIN(A2) if A2 stores degrees.
• A result expected to be zero displays a tiny number: Trigonometric calculations have finite floating-point precision. Format display or compare with an explicit tolerance; do not silently round underlying data unless the task calls for it.
• A text value, blank cell or missing argument gives an unexpected result/error: The cited SIN reference does not enumerate all coercion or error codes. Check the input is a genuine number, inspect the function dialog, and test the particular edge case in the target build rather than claiming an unverified code.
• A value outside the interval −1 to 1 seems to appear: Sine’s mathematical range is [−1, 1]; do not infer from a formatted or corrupted worksheet. Verify the formula and source inputs.
• Formula appears as text: Enter it with the leading =; SoftMaker’s formula-entry help specifically requires this when inputting by hand.
• Decimal separator confusion: A locale may require different numeric punctuation. SoftMaker’s edit options permit locale/system number separators; confirm them on the target device.

• RADIANS: degrees to radians
• COS: cosine
• ASIN: inverse sine
• TAN: tangent
• PI: π constant

• PlanMaker 2026/NX: SoftMaker’s English function page documents the exact one-argument formula and its purpose. SoftMaker’s 2026 help is the primary basis for the PlanMaker-specific claims in this guide.
• PlanMaker 2024: The separate 2024 English reference describes the same one-argument signature and core calculation. That establishes documented continuity, not a tested equivalence across builds.
• Microsoft Excel: Microsoft’s own function reference also documents the same trigonometric/conversion operation and a single numeric angle argument. This is a documentation-level similarity. It does not establish identical handling of strings, empty cells, overflow, floating-point last digits or Excel file round-tripping.
• Edition/platform: The inspected PlanMaker 2026 English help is for the 2026/NX release family. Particular paid/free editions, Windows/macOS/Linux builds, mobile applications and configurations were not run. Do not infer per-edition availability merely from catalogue presence.
• Locale: Examples show English-function names, a period decimal point, and direct cell references. Each of these functions takes one argument, so these examples do not establish which separator a particular locale uses for multi-argument functions. SoftMaker documents configurable decimal/thousands separators and the Formula → Function dialogue. Check translated function names and locally accepted syntax in your installation before asserting locale equivalence.

Native validation checklist

Record the installed PlanMaker product/version/build, OS, edition, language/locale, calculation mode and workbook format. Enter the specified test cells; record displayed values with at least nine decimal places where relevant; inspect the formula bar rather than relying only on rounded displays. Test unexpected text and empty references in that native build to establish actual error behaviour. Save and reopen the native file, then independently verify .xlsx export/import and opening in an actual Excel build if the guide will promise interchange. None of these tests has been performed for this guide.

1. SoftMaker PlanMaker 2026/NX English manual, SIN function: exact argument order, mathematical purpose, and vendor-labelled examples. Inspected 2026-10-13.
2. SoftMaker PlanMaker 2024 English manual, SIN function: confirms same core documented signature and purpose. Inspected 2026-10-13.
3. Microsoft Excel help, Excel SIN function: independently documents Excel’s corresponding syntax and degree/radian convention. Inspected 2026-10-13; not PlanMaker runtime evidence.
4. SoftMaker 2026, Entering formulas: the equals sign and Formula → Function UI. Inspected 2026-10-13.
5. SoftMaker 2026, Editing and numeric separator settings: locale/system input display settings. Inspected 2026-10-13.
6. SoftMaker 2026, DEGREES and PI: related conversion and mathematical constant. Inspected 2026-10-13.