PERMUT Function – Find # of arrangements in Excel, VBA, & G Sheets

This Tutorial demonstrates how to use the Excel PERMUT Function in Excel returns the number of permutations (Permutation is the number of arrangements in which a certain number of items can be arranged)  for a given number of items.

PERMUT Function Overview

The PERMUT Function returns the number of permutations  for a given number of items.

To use the PERMUT  Excel Worksheet Function, select a cell and type:

(Notice how the formula inputs appear)

PERMUT Function Syntax and Inputs:

=PERMUT (number, number_chosen)

number – The total number of items.

number_chosen – The number of items in each combination.

What is permutation?

Permutation is the number of arrangements in which a certain number of items can be arranged. The order is significant. 

PERMUT Function 

Let’s say there are 7 seats and 7 people, the PERMUT Function will returns the number of ways these 7 people can be arranged

=PERMUT(7,7)

PERMUT Function – Limited Options

Let’s say we have 7 seats and 5 people that need to be seated. The PERMUT Function will return the number of ways these 5 people can be arranged.

=PERMUT(7,5)

PERMUT Function – Limited Items

Let’s say we have 7 seats and 9 people. The PERMUT Function will return a #NUM! error as the number of items are less than available options. 

=PERMUT(7,9)

It is unrealistic to arrange 9 people when only 7 seats are available. 

PERMUT in Google Sheets

The PERMUT Function works exactly the same in Google Sheets as in Excel: