COMBIN

See Also

Returns the number of combinations for a given number of items. Use COMBIN to determine the total possible number of groups for a given number of items.

Syntax

COMBIN(number,number_chosen)

Number is the number of items.

Number chosen is the number of items in each combination.

Remarks

Numeric arguments are truncated to integers.
If either argument is nonnumeric, COMBIN returns the #VALUE! error value.
If number < 0, number_chosen < 0, or number < number_chosen, COMBIN returns the #NUM! error value.
A combination is any set or subset of items, regardless of their internal order. Combinations are distinct from permutations, for which the internal order is significant.
The number of combinations is as follows, where number = n and number_chosen = k:

where:

Example

The example may be easier to understand if you copy it to a blank worksheet.

Show How?

Create a blank workbook or worksheet.
Select the example in the Help topic. Do not select the row or column headers.

Selecting an example from Help
Press CTRL+C.
In the worksheet, select cell A1, and press CTRL+V.
To switch between viewing the results and viewing the formulas that return the results, press CTRL+` (grave accent), or on the Tools menu, point to Formula Auditing, and then click Formula Auditing Mode.

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A	B
Formula	Description (Result)
=COMBIN(8,2)	Possible two-person teams that can be formed from 8 candidates (28)