# Getting Err:502 with complex number functions

I am using Ubuntu 16.04 and LibreOffice 5.2. Some of my spreadsheets rely on complex numbers and I am getting Err: 502 in the cells. These spreadsheets were working well with Ubuntu 14.04 and also run without issues on a Windows 10 platform. The behavior is strange as I will get Err:502 with a simple function "=IMSUM(A1, B2)" so there is no syntax error, however if I re-enter the formula the calculation works. When if I come back to the spreadsheet the cells will again show Err:502. Also a user-defined function that uses complex numbers and has worked for years, no longer works and a message box shows up "BASIC runtime error. An exception occurred Type: com.sun.star.lang.IllegalArgumentException Message: ."
(Editing:) I upvoted your question to see that the force be with you. Please upload a relevant example file.

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Do you have an example, i.e. what strings are in A1 and B2?

( 2016-10-06 18:32:40 +0100 )edit

A1 and B2 are just two cells at least one of which contains a complex number.

Here is the user-defined function:

function IMPARA(x,y)
svc=createUnoService("com.sun.star.sheet.FunctionAccess")
arg1=array(x,y)
pr=svc.callFunction("IMPRODUCT",arg1)
su=svc.callFunction("IMSUM",arg1)
arg2=array(pr,su) impara=svc.callFunction("IMDIV",arg2)
end function


x and y are cells where either one or both are complex numbers. The routine locks at 4th line ("pr= ...")

( 2016-10-08 20:59:49 +0100 )edit

From the OQ: I will get Err:502 with a simple function "=IMSUM(A1, B2)" so there is no syntax error,
Compare with the statement from the comment.
Are you (@sliner) mucking around?
Edit your question and attach a thoroughly prepared example!

( 2016-10-08 21:53:39 +0100 )edit

Why would I waste my and your time by "mucking around". I tried pasting a screenshot of a portion of the spreadsheet in the comment but it doesn't seem to work. I am new to this forum. Any suggestions on how to do this?

( 2016-10-09 17:54:28 +0100 )edit

@sliner: Sorry if my words were too harsh.Due to my poor English I often fail to find the proper terms.
There is a tool in the toolbar for making attachments. It is only available when writing/editing questions/answers, not for comments.
Do not attach screenshots but the real thing wherever feasible, please. In this case it would be a tiny spreadsheet document, I think.

( 2016-10-09 18:19:07 +0100 )edit

Here is an example from a spreadsheet: A cell contains the formula "=IMABS(AH5)" where AH5 is a cell with a complex number. The cell in question shows "Err:502". I get similar results in other cells that use complex number functions such as IMSUM or IMDIV. As I said it is not an error in syntax or improper entry but an issue using LibreOffice 5.2 with Ubuntu 16.04.

( 2016-10-09 19:12:14 +0100 )edit

You surely looked up the meaning of "Err:502". With respect to your recent example the next step must be to inspect cell AH5 for a probable reason to get that error. It would save us hours if you finally attached a spreadsheet document showing the error for you. What's the problem with this?
I spent the time to prepare and attach an example and you don't even tell me how it worked on your system.

( 2016-10-09 19:55:56 +0100 )edit

Unfortunately your IMPARA example still does not answer my question what the actual values/strings in A1 and B2 are. Same for IMABS(AH5), what is the content of AH5? For example, =IMABS("1.2+3.4i") works fine for me and results in 3.60555127546399, also =IMSUM("1.2+3.4i","5.6+7.8i") that results in "6.8+11.2i" Also your macro example works for me (after splitting the second but last line in two), =IMSUM("1.2+3.4i","5.6+7.8i") results in "1.06849953401678+2.4165890027959i".

( 2016-10-10 16:56:21 +0100 )edit

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Do you actually want to calculate half of the "harmonic mean" of two complex numbers contained in A1, B2? Why not use
=IMDIV(IMPRODUCT(A1;B2);IMSUM(A1;B2))
in the respective cell?
In fact the user function also works. The BASIC code as posted contained a syntactical error: Two statements in one line without a statement delimiter.
(Editing with respect to the comments:)
I made this little demonstration of the Calc formula I suggested and the application of the code from the OQ as well. Both are working flawlessly here (LibO 5.2.2 on Win 10). I would prefer the formula and expect to get higher efficiency by that. Some variant of Copy/Paste should allow for omitting too much of typing.
(A last attempt:)
Another little demonstration.

more

I wanted to replace the expression with something simpler to type as I use it quite a lot. The syntactical error was created when I pasted the macro. In fact each statement does have it's own line. Regardless the problem seems to be the use of complex number functions. I As I mentioned these are old spreadsheets that have been working for years until I began using Ubuntu 16.04 and still work on a Windows 10 platform.

( 2016-10-09 17:48:14 +0100 )edit

Sorry. I cannot test with Ubuntu. (In fact I am afraid that silly Win I need for some special reason on my sole computer will get angry with me if I try another dual boot.)

( 2016-10-09 18:43:36 +0100 )edit

VirtualBox with guest additions is an option.

( 2016-10-09 19:04:38 +0100 )edit