How to use the Excel ATAN2 function

The Excel ATAN2 function returns the arctangent from the x and y coordinates of a point. In geometric terms, the function returns the radian angle corresponding to the coordinates of the input point. If you imagine a ray starting from the origin of the coordinate system and extending outwards, every point along the ray will return the same angle value. A circle of radius one demonstrates all possible return values for the function.

Syntax: =ATAN2(x_num, y_num)

The ATAN2 function syntax has the following arguments:

• X_num (Required): The x-coordinate of the point.
• Y_num (Required): The y-coordinate of the point.

Example: Let’s look at some Excel ATAN2 function examples and explore how to use the ATAN2 function as a worksheet function in Microsoft Excel:

Syntax:  =ATAN2(F11,G11)

Result:

Based on the Excel spreadsheet above, the following ATAN2 examples would return: