# User-Defined Functions

/text/scalc/guide/userdefined_function.xhp
Sun Microsystems, Inc.
FPE: Deleted Screenshot and cleaned up yj - checked
functions; user-defined
user-defined functions
Basic IDE for user-defined functions
IDE; Basic IDE
programming;functions
User-Defined Functions
You can apply user-defined functions in $[officename] Calc in the following ways:
- You can define your own functions using the Basic-IDE. This method requires a basic knowledge of programming.
- You can program functions as add-ins. This method requires an advanced knowledge of programming.
Defining A Function Using %PRODUCTNAME Basic
- Choose Tools - Macros - Organize Macros - %PRODUCTNAME Basic.
- Click the Edit button. You will now see the Basic IDE.
- Enter the function code. In this example, we define a VOL(a; b; c) function that calculates the volume of a rectangular solid with side lengths a, b and c:
  Function VOL(a, b, c)
  VOL = a*b*c
  End Function
- Close the Basic-IDE window.
  Your function is automatically saved in the default module and is now available. If you apply the function in a Calc document that is to be used on another computer, you can copy the function to the Calc document as described in the next section.
Copying a Function To a Document
In stage 2 of "Defining A Function Using %PRODUCTNAME Basic", in the Macro dialog you clicked on Edit . As the default, in the Macro from field the My Macros - Standard - Module1 module is selected. The Standard library resides locally in your user directory.
If you want to copy the user-defined function to a Calc document:
- Choose Tools - Macros - Organize Macros - %PRODUCTNAME Basic .
- In the Macro from field select My Macros - Standard - Module1 and click Edit.
- In the Basic-IDE, select the source of your user-defined function and copy it to the clipboard.
- Close the Basic-IDE.
- Choose Tools - Macros - Organize Macros - %PRODUCTNAME Basic .
- In the Macro from field select (Name of the Calc document) - Standard - Module1. Click Edit.
- Paste the clipboard contents in the Basic-IDE of the document.
Applying a User-defined Function in $[officename] Calc
Once you have defined the function VOL(a; b; c) in the Basic-IDE, you can apply it the same way as the built-in functions of $[officename] Calc.
- Open a Calc document and enter numbers for the function parameters a, b, and c in cells A1, B1, and C1.
- Set the cursor in another cell and enter the following:
  =VOL(A1;B1;C1)
- The function is evaluated and you will see the result in the selected cell.