Excel - NORM.DIST Function



NORM.DIST Function

The Excel NORM.DIST function is used to determine the probability of extracting a numeric value that is either smaller than x or equal to 0. This function generates the normal distribution with the provided mean and standard deviation and has two forms: Probability Mass Function and Cumulative Distribution Function. It was launched in Excel 2010 as a part of the Statistical function.

Compatibility

This advanced Excel function is compatible with the following versions of MS Excel

  • Excel for Microsoft 365
  • Excel for Microsoft 365 for Mac
  • Excel for the web
  • Excel 2024
  • Excel 2024 for Mac
  • Excel 2021
  • Excel 2021 for Mac
  • Excel 2019
  • Excel 2016
  • Excel 2013
  • Excel 2010

Syntax

The syntax of the NORM.DIST function is as follows

=NORM.DIST(x,mean,standard_dev,cumulative)

Arguments

You can use the following arguments with the NORM.DIST function −

Argument Description Required/ Optional
X A numeric value to get distribution. Required
Mean It indicates the arithmetic mean of the distribution. Required
Standard_dev The standard deviation of the distribution. Required
Cumulative A boolean value to identify the function’s form.

If cumulative is TRUE, then the NORM.DIST retrieves the cumulative distribution function.

If cumulative is FALSE, then the NORM.DIST returns the probability mass function.

Required

Points to Remember

  • When Boolean values are specified in any of the arguments except the FALSE value in the standard deviation, then the TRUE is interpreted as 1 and FALSE is interpreted as 0.
  • If mean equals 0, standard_dev equals 1, and cumulative is set to TRUE, then the NORM.DIST will behave like NORM.S.DIST.
  • If non-numeric values are specified in any of the arguments, then the NORM.DIST returns the #VALUE! error.
  • If standard_dev contains a negative value or equal to 0, then the NORM.DIST will retrieve the #NUM! error.

Examples of NORM.DIST Function

Practice the following examples to learn the use of the NORM.DIST function in Excel.

Example 1: How to Calculate the Cumulative Normal Distribution Function in Excel?

In this example, the practical implication of the NORM.DIST function is depicted to evaluate the cumulative normal distribution.

Solution

Step 1: Assume the sample dataset, the X-score is 7, the mean is 3.47, the standard deviation is 2.05. Moreover, set the Cumulative argument to True which means the cumulative normal distribution will be evaluated. You may write the formula =NORM.DIST(C2,C3,C4,C5) in the C6 cell and hit the Enter tab.

Calculate Cumulative Normal Distribution Function1

Hence, the NORM.DIST function returns the 0.957461.

Calculate Cumulative Normal Distribution Function2

Example 2

If non-numeric values are specified in any of the arguments, then the NORM.DIST returns the #VALUE! error.

Solution

You may write the formula =NORM.DIST("ws",12,10,FALSE) in the B3 cell and hit the Enter tab. In this expression, the x contains the text value which is invalid.

NORM.DIST Returns #VALUE! Error

Hence, the resulting value is #VALUE!.

Example 3

If standard_dev contains a negative value or equal to 0, then the NORM.DIST will retrieve the #NUM! error.

Solution

You can write the formula =NORM.DIST(12,10,-9,FALSE) in the B5 cell and hit the Enter tab. Here, the standard deviation is -9 which is inaccurate.

NORM.DIST will retrieve #NUM! Error1

Hence, the result is #NUM! error. You may edit the value of the standard deviation to get the correct result.

NORM.DIST will retrieve #NUM! Error2

Download Practice Sheet

You can download and use the sample data sheet to practice the NORM.DIST function.

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