Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated August 18, 2023)
This tip applies to Excel 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and 2021
Excel includes many built-in functions that allow you to use a wide range of trigonometric functions. Two that are not included, however, are functions for determining a secant and a cosecant. Let's assume that an angle value, in radians, is stored in cell B7. If you need to know the secant of the angle, you can use the following formula:
=1/COS(B7)
Likewise, if you need to know the cosecant of the angle, the following formula will do the trick:
=1/SIN(B7)
ExcelTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Excel training. This tip (10084) applies to Microsoft Excel 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and 2021. You can find a version of this tip for the older menu interface of Excel here: Deriving a Secant and Cosecant.
Solve Real Business Problems Master business modeling and analysis techniques with Excel and transform data into bottom-line results. This hands-on, scenario-focused guide shows you how to use the latest Excel tools to integrate data from multiple tables. Check out Microsoft Excel 2013 Data Analysis and Business Modeling today!
If you have a range of values that can be either positive or negative, you might wonder how to determine the largest ...
Discover MoreIf you keep a lot of data in Excel, you may be interested in figuring out when that data surpasses a threshold. This tip ...
Discover MoreEnter a formula (starting with an equal sign) and you may be surprised if Excel doesn’t calculate the formula. Here's a ...
Discover MoreFREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in ExcelTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
2019-07-22 12:46:34
Gene Osten
Note: I would suggest a check for division for zero. Both SIN(θ) and COS(θ) can have the value zero.
Got a version of Excel that uses the ribbon interface (Excel 2007 or later)? This site is for you! If you use an earlier version of Excel, visit our ExcelTips site focusing on the menu interface.
FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in ExcelTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
Copyright © 2025 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.
Comments