Calculating Combinations

Summary: The COMBIN function is used to determine the number of combinations that can be made from a group of elements. This tip explains the function and how you can use it. (This tip works with Microsoft Excel 97, Excel 2000, Excel 2002, Excel 2003, and Excel 2007.)

Have you ever wondered how many different four-character combinations you can make when you start with 26 letters and 10 digits? Excel can tell you in a flash, if you use the COMBIN worksheet function. The syntax of the function is as follows:

=COMBIN(universe, sets)

In this syntax, universe represents the number of items from which the combinations can be made, and sets represents the number that must be in each combination. Thus, you could use the following to determine the number of four-character combinations that you can make from the alphabet (26 letters) and the ten digits:

=COMBIN(26+10,4)

Just for those who are curious, the answer returned is 58,905.

ExcelTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Excel training. This tip (2158) applies to Microsoft Excel versions: 97 | 2000 | 2002 | 2003 | 2007

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Calculating Combinations