In this article
IMABS returns |z|, the length of the vector: SQRT(a²+b²). For impedance it’s the magnitude in ohms. Complex numbers are text like 3+4i; build them with COMPLEX.
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Syntax
=IMABS(inumber)| Argument | What it means |
|---|---|
inumber |
Complex number as text, e.g. “3+4i” |
Examples
Example 1
=IMABS(A2)Result: 5. See the worked example table below for more cases.
IMABS in practice
Where you will use it
- AC circuit calculations (impedance, phase)
- Signal processing
- Engineering coursework
Worked example
| z | Formula | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 3+4i | =IMABS(A2) | 5 |
| 1-i | =IMABS(A3) | 1.414213562 |
| 2i | =IMABS(A4) | 2 |
Results calculated in Excel.
Mistakes people make
| Mistake | What to do instead |
|---|---|
| Spaces inside the text | "3 + 4i" gives #NUM!; write 3+4i |
| Result is text | Use IMREAL/IMAGINARY to get numbers back |
Related functions
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