How to use the IMREAL() function in Excel

Its extracts the real component (x) from a complex number in rectangular form (x + yi or x + yj).

Syntax
IMREAL(complex_number)

Argument

• complex_number (required)
  A text string representing a complex number in either:
  • « x+yi » format (mathematical convention)
  • « x+yj » format (engineering convention)

Technical Background
For a complex number z = x + yi:

• The real part represents the horizontal component in the complex plane
• When plotted, corresponds to the projection on the real (x) axis

Example

=IMREAL(« 3-4i »)  // Returns 3

Additional Examples

=IMREAL(« 5+12j »)   // Returns 5

=IMREAL(« -1.5+2i ») // Returns -1.5

=IMREAL(« 0-3i »)    // Returns 0

=IMREAL(« 7 »)       // Returns 7 (real numbers are valid input)

Key Features

• Returns a real number value
• Handles both « i » and « j » notation
• Preserves decimal precision from input
• Works with pure real or pure imaginary numbers

Error Conditions

• Returns #NUM! for:
  • Invalid complex number format
  • Non-numeric components
  • Missing real part when ‘+’ or ‘-‘ present