This guide covers everything you need to know about the Google Sheets DEGREES function, including its definition, syntax, use cases, and how to use it.
What is the DEGREES Function? How Does It Work?
The DEGREES function returns an angle value, converting it from radians to degrees. This function is especially useful for those working with geometry, physics, or any field that regularly uses angle measurements in their calculations. It operates by taking an angle that has been measured in radians and converting it into a measurement of degrees, which may be more familiar or useful depending on the context.
Imagine you are working on a project that requires a mixture of angle measurements. Some measurements are given in degrees, which are commonly used in daily life and are familiar to most people. Other measurements are provided in radians, a unit of measurement often used in mathematics and physics. In this situation, the DEGREES function can be utilized to convert those radian values into degrees, making it easier to compare and combine these figures.
The process is straightforward: the DEGREES function takes a single argument – the angle in radians – and converts it into degrees. This function is particularly beneficial when dealing with mathematical functions such as sine, cosine, or tangent, which often expect their input in radians. By using the DEGREES function, you can ensure that your angle measurements are in the appropriate format for these calculations.
To demonstrate how this function works, let’s consider the DEGREES(PI()) example. PI() is a function that returns the mathematical constant Pi, roughly equivalent to 3.14159. As Pi radians is the equivalent of 180 degrees, the DEGREES(PI()) function will return a value of 180.
Thus, the DEGREES function in Google Sheets is an efficient way to convert radians to degrees, making it an extremely valuable function when dealing with angle measurements.
DEGREES Syntax
The syntax and arguments for the function are as follows:
DEGREES(angle)
In this syntax, there is only one argument:
- angle: This is the angle that you want to convert from radians to degrees. It can be a number, a cell reference containing a number, or a formula that results in a number.
The usage notes related to the syntax and arguments are:
- The DEGREES function expects the angle to be in radians. If the angle is already in degrees, using the DEGREES function will not give you the correct result.
- If the angle argument is not a numeric value, the DEGREES function will return an error.
- The DEGREES function can handle negative values. If you input a negative radian value, it will return the corresponding negative degree value.
- The DEGREES function can work with fractions. If you input a fraction of a radian, it will return the corresponding fraction of a degree.
- The DEGREES function is not case sensitive. You can type it as DEGREES, degrees, or Degrees and it will work the same.
- The DEGREES function does not work with text or non-numeric values. If you input a text or non-numeric value, it will return an error.
Examples of How to Use the DEGREES Function
Here are some practical examples of how to use the DEGREES function in Google Sheets:
Example #1: Converting Radians to Degrees
Let’s say you have a value in radians and want to convert it to degrees. In this case, you can use the DEGREES function. For instance, suppose the value in radians is in cell A1, you can use the following formula to convert it into degrees:
=DEGREES(A1)
If the value in cell A1 is, for instance, 1 radian, the formula will return 57.2957795131 which is the equivalent in degrees.
Example #2: Converting Multiple Radians to Degrees
In case you have several radians that you want to convert to degrees, you can apply the DEGREES function to each of them. If you have a list of radians in column A from A2 to A6, you can input the following formula in B2:
=DEGREES(A2)
Then, you can drag the fill handle (a small square at the bottom-right corner of the cell) down to copy this formula to the rest of the cells in column B. This will convert all the radians in column A into degrees in column B.
Example #3: Converting the Result of a Function to Degrees
The DEGREES function can also be used to convert the result of another function to degrees. For instance, if you use the SIN function and want its result in degrees, you can use the DEGREES function. If you have a SIN function in cell A1, you can use the following formula:
=DEGREES(SIN(A1))
This will return the sine of the value in cell A1 in degrees.
Example #4: Using DEGREES Function in Mathematical Formulas
The DEGREES function can be used in mathematical formulas where you need to convert radians to degrees. For instance, to calculate the angle of a triangle using the law of cosines, you can use the following formula:
=DEGREES(ACOS((A2^2+B2^2-C2^2)/(2*A2*B2)))
In this formula, A2, B2, and C2 are the lengths of the sides of the triangle. The formula calculates the angle in radians and then converts it to degrees using the DEGREES function.
These examples should give you a good idea of how versatile and useful the DEGREES function can be in different scenarios when working with Google Sheets.
DEGREES: Common Mistakes & Problems
When using the DEGREES function in Google Sheets, there are certain common mistakes and problems that you may encounter. Understanding these potential issues can help you troubleshoot when your formula doesn’t return the expected results.
- Incorrect Syntax: One of the most common mistakes users make is not following the correct syntax when writing the DEGREES function. The correct syntax is DEGREES(angle). If you don’t follow this format, Google Sheets won’t be able to execute the formula properly.
- Using Degrees Instead of Radians: The DEGREES function converts radians to degrees. If you input an angle in degrees instead of radians, the function won’t return the expected results. Make sure the angle you’re converting is in radians.
- Inputting Non-Numerical Data: The DEGREES function can only convert numerical data. If you try to input text, a date, or any other non-numerical data, the function will return an error.
- Ignoring Negative Values: The DEGREES function can handle negative values. However, ignoring the negative sign will affect the conversion, and you won’t get the correct result.
- Expecting Exact Results: Due to the nature of circular functions and the conversion from radians to degrees, the results returned by the DEGREES function might not always be exact. This is a normal part of the function’s operation and not a mistake.
Why Is DEGREES Not Working? Troubleshooting Common Errors
If you have used the DEGREES function in Google Sheets and it’s not working as expected, you’ve come to the right place. This section aims to help you troubleshoot common errors you might encounter when using this function.
#VALUE! Error
Cause: This error typically appears when the input data type doesn’t match the expected data type for the DEGREES function. For instance, if you’re trying to convert a text string to degrees, Google Sheets doesn’t know how to interpret that, so it returns a #VALUE! error.
Solution: Make sure you’re entering a numerical value or a cell reference that contains a numerical value as the argument for the DEGREES function. If you’re using a cell reference, double-check the cell to ensure it contains a number and not a text string.
#REF! Error
Cause: This error occurs when the cell reference provided in the function is invalid. For example, if you’ve deleted a row or column that is being referenced by the DEGREES function, Google Sheets can’t find the cell and returns a #REF! error.
Solution: Update the DEGREES function to reference a valid cell. Always check to ensure that the cells referenced by your functions still exist, especially after deleting rows or columns.
#NUM! Error
Cause: If you see a #NUM! error when using the DEGREES function, it means that the numerical input is outside the acceptable range for this function. Although this is less common with the DEGREES function as it can handle a wide range of numbers, it can still occur in certain situations.
Solution: Review the number you’re trying to convert to degrees. If it’s a very large or very small number, you may need to adjust it to a more reasonable range.
#N/A Error
Cause: The #N/A error appears when the DEGREES function can’t find the data it’s looking for. This might happen if you’re using the function in combination with others, like VLOOKUP or HLOOKUP, and these functions are unable to find the lookup value.
Solution: Make sure that the lookup value exists in the lookup range. If you’re using cell references, ensure that these cells contain the correct data.
#DIV/0! Error
Cause: This error is rare in the DEGREES function since it’s not dependent on division. However, if you’re using DEGREES as part of a more complex formula that includes division, you might see this error when a number is divided by zero.
Solution: Check the other parts of your formula to ensure there are no divisions by zero. If there are, you’ll need to correct these to resolve the #DIV/0! error.
#ERROR! Error
Cause: The #ERROR! error is a generic error message that might appear when Google Sheets can’t determine the other error types. This can happen if your formula is too long, if it has unmatched parentheses, or if it contains other syntax errors.
Solution: Double-check your formula for any syntax errors, unmatched parentheses, or excessive length. Breaking down complex formulas into smaller, more manageable parts can often help to identify and resolve these issues.
Using DEGREES With Other Google Sheets Functions
Combining the DEGREES function with other Google Sheets functions can help to perform more complex calculations and analyses. Here are some examples of how you can use DEGREES in conjunction with other functions.
With SIN
Usage: The SIN function in Google Sheets returns the sine of an angle provided in radians. By combining it with the DEGREES function, you can calculate the sine of an angle provided in degrees.
Example: If you have an angle of 30 degrees in cell A1 and want to find its sine, you can combine the SIN and DEGREES functions like this: =SIN(RADIANS(A1)). This formula first converts the angle from degrees to radians using the RADIANS function and then calculates the sine of the resulting angle.
With COS
Usage: The COS function returns the cosine of an angle provided in radians. Using it with the DEGREES function, you can calculate the cosine of an angle in degrees.
Example: If you have an angle of 45 degrees in cell A1 and want to find its cosine, you can combine the COS and DEGREES functions like this: =COS(RADIANS(A1)). This formula first converts the angle from degrees to radians using the RADIANS function and then calculates the cosine of the resulting angle.
With TAN
Usage: The TAN function returns the tangent of an angle provided in radians. By combining it with the DEGREES function, you can find the tangent of an angle given in degrees.
Example: If you have an angle of 60 degrees in cell A1 and want to find its tangent, you can combine the TAN and DEGREES functions like this: =TAN(RADIANS(A1)). This formula first converts the angle from degrees to radians with the RADIANS function and then calculates the tangent of the resulting angle.
With PI
Usage: The PI function returns the value of Pi. By combining it with the DEGREES function, you can convert a multiple of Pi radians into degrees.
Example: If you want to convert Pi/2 radians into degrees, you can combine the PI and DEGREES functions like this: =DEGREES(PI()/2). This formula first calculates Pi/2 and then converts the resulting angle from radians to degrees using the DEGREES function.
For more details on the DEGREES function, check out the official documentation at the Google Docs Editors Help Center.
