How to use the Excel COMBIN function

Summary

The Excel COMBIN function returns the number of combinations (in any order) of a given number of items. To use COMBIN, specify the total number of items and the number of items in each combination.

Purpose

Get total number of combinations

Return value

Total possible combinations as an integer

Syntax

=COMBIN (number, number_chosen)

Arguments

number - The total number of items.
number_chosen - The number of items in each combination.

Usage notes

A combination is any a group of items in any order. If order is significant, use the PERMUT function.
Arguments that contain decimal values are truncated to integers.
COMBIN returns a #VALUE! error value if either argument is not numeric.
If number is less than number chosen, COMBIN returns #NUM!

Related functions

Excel FACT Function

The Excel FACT function returns the factorial of a given number. For example, =FACT(3) returns 6, equivalent to 3 x 2 x 1.

Excel COMBIN Function

The Excel COMBIN function returns the number of combinations (in any order) of a given number of items. To use COMBIN, specify the total number of items and the number of items in each combination.

Excel PERMUT Function

The Excel PERMUT function returns the number of permutations (combinations where order is significant) of a given number of items. To use PERMUT, specify the total number of items and "number chosen", which represents the number of items in each...