IMAGINARY in WPS on Windows: Introduction

WPS IMAGINARY is a spreadsheet function for returning the imaginary coefficient of a complex number; this guide covers 4 core tasks, with 4 available without membership and 0 membership-related items.

At a Glance

Metric	Value	Notes
Core tasks	4	Matches the number of rows in the How-to Index
Available without membership	4	Matches the number of Free rows in the How-to Index
Membership-related items	0	Matches the number of membership-related rows in the How-to Index
Version scope	No version limit	Available in WPS Spreadsheet across supported versions

About This Feature

Overview

IMAGINARY is an engineering function in WPS Spreadsheet that returns the imaginary coefficient from a complex number text value. It is suitable for formula calculation, engineering analysis, and separating complex-number results.

Core capabilities include:

Entering the IMAGINARY function and completing a calculation.
Following syntax prompts to fill in parameters more accurately.
Using the function in nested formulas and across worksheets.
Updating results automatically when source data changes.

Common use cases include engineering calculations, classroom demonstrations, and complex-number data processing.

System Requirements

Item	Requirement
Operating system	A Windows device that can run WPS Office normally
App version	The latest version of WPS Office is recommended; WPS Spreadsheet versions generally support this function
Network	No mandatory internet connection is required for local formula calculation; internet access is needed for download, installation, and account services
Other	You need to be able to open WPS Spreadsheet files and edit cells

Download & Installation

Item	Details
Official download	WPS Office Free Download
Check after installation	Open WPS Office, launch WPS Spreadsheet, and confirm that you can enter IMAGINARY from the Formula tab or the formula bar

Source: WPS download page

Compare with Alternatives

Dimension	WPS	Microsoft	Google	Notion	Adobe
Capability Summary	In WPS Spreadsheet, you can enter IMAGINARY directly in a cell, use syntax prompts, combine it with nested formulas, reference other worksheets, and recalculate automatically when data changes.	Excel provides `IMAGINARY(inumber)` to return the imaginary coefficient of a complex number in text format.	Google Sheets provides `IMAGINARY(complex_number)` to return the imaginary coefficient of a complex number.	Notion documents formula syntax, properties, and general math functions, but its help content does not describe an IMAGINARY-style complex-number function for spreadsheet cells.	Adobe Acrobat supports JavaScript for PDF forms, document behavior, and calculations, but it is not a spreadsheet function environment for IMAGINARY-style formulas.
WPS Advantages	Advantage: direct worksheet-cell entry, syntax prompts, cross-sheet references, and automatic recalculation fit ongoing spreadsheet work on Windows.	Compared with WPS: Excel also offers the same function category for spreadsheet-based complex-number calculations.	Compared with WPS: Google Sheets also offers the same function category, with a browser-based workflow.	Compared with WPS: Notion formulas focus on database properties and general expressions rather than spreadsheet complex-number functions.	Compared with WPS: Adobe focuses on PDF scripting and form automation instead of worksheet functions.
Official Source	—	IMAGINARY function	IMAGINARY	Formula syntax and functions	JavaScript Development

Overall Conclusion
WPS, Microsoft Excel, and Google Sheets all provide function support for extracting the imaginary coefficient of a complex number. If your work is centered on Windows spreadsheet editing, cross-sheet references, and repeated formula use, WPS offers a direct workflow inside the spreadsheet interface, while Notion and Adobe are better aligned with database formulas or PDF scripting.

Use Cases

No.	Scenario	Suitable for	Main challenge	How it helps
1	Separating complex-number results	Students and teachers	Need to extract only the imaginary part from a complex-number text value	Use IMAGINARY to return the imaginary coefficient
2	Engineering calculations	Engineering and research users	Manual separation is inefficient when many complex-number formulas are involved	Enter IMAGINARY directly in worksheet cells
3	Nested formula analysis	Data analysts	Need to reuse the imaginary part inside larger formulas	Combine IMAGINARY with other functions
4	Cross-sheet references	Office users	Complex-number values from different worksheets need consistent handling	Use IMAGINARY with worksheet references
5	Dynamic result updates	Everyday spreadsheet users	Results need to stay current after source values change	Automatic recalculation updates the output

Membership & Benefits

Free vs WPS Premium

Capability	Free	WPS Premium
IMAGINARY function usage	✅ Available	✅ Available
Basic spreadsheet editing	✅ Available	✅ Available
Cloud storage	1 GB	20 GB
Template resources	Basic templates	More template resources
AI tools	Limited access for some tools	More AI tools and higher usage allowance

Source: WPS Office pricing page

Recommendations

Scenario	Recommended plan	Why
Everyday formula entry and basic complex-number calculations	Free	The IMAGINARY function itself is available for regular spreadsheet work
Need more cloud storage, templates, or broader office features	WPS Premium	Suitable when you also need more storage, templates, and added office capabilities

WPS membership center: Subscribe now