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Excel - POISSON.DIST Function
POISSON.DIST Function
The Excel POISSON.DIST function is used to calculate the Poisson distribution. The Poisson distribution determines the number of happenings occurring at a specific interval. The event can be anything like the number of products launched in one year, the number of business deal agreements of the network products in two years, the total death cases of patients due to Guillian-Barre Syndrome in one year, etc.
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
- Excel 2007
Syntax
The syntax of the POISSON.DIST function is as follows −
=POISSON.DIST(x,mean,cumulative)
Arguments
You can use the following arguments with the POISSON.DIST function −
Argument | Description | Required/ Optional |
---|---|---|
X | A numeric value that denotes the total events. | Required |
Mean | It represents an expected number. | Required |
Cumulative |
A logical value that determines the form of the probability distribution returned. If cumulative is TRUE, POISSON.DIST returns the cumulative Poisson probability that the number of random events occurring will be between zero and x inclusive. If cumulative is FALSE, POISSON.DIST returns the Poisson probability mass function that the number of events occurring will be exactly x. |
Required |
Points to Remember
- If x contains a decimal value, then that value is truncated.
- If x or mean comprises a value other than numeric, then the POISSON.DIST function retrieves the #VALUE! error.
- If the negative value is supplied to the x, then the POISSON.DIST yields the #NUM! error.
- If the mean contains a negative value, then the POISSON.DIST retrieve the #NUM! error.
When to utilize the POISSON.DIST function in Excel?
You may get the benefits of this statistical function in certain circumstances −
- The number of events is not dependent on each other and is picked randomly.
- The average of the number of events and the type of function form(either probability mass function or cumulative distribution function must be known.
- To evaluate the probability that the incidents with the mean rate come up at a fixed time interval.
Examples of POISSON.DIST Function
Practice the following examples to learn the use of the POISSON.DIST function in Excel.
Example 1: How to calculate the Poisson distribution in Excel?
Solution
In this example, we will demonstrate the practical implication of the POISSON.DIST function when the x, mean, and, cumulative values are given.
Step 1 − First, assume the sample dataset, the x is 35, the mean and cumulative value are 40, and TRUE. You may write the formula =POISSON.DIST(C2,C3,C4) in the C5 cell and hit the Enter tab.

Therefore, the POISSON.DIST function returns the cumulative Poisson probability whose value is .03294.

Furthermore, to compute the probability mass function, you can set the Cumulative to FALSE. Select the C6 cell and write the formula =POISSON.DIST(C2,C3,C4) and hit the Enter tab.

Hence, the resulting value is 0.010801.

Download Practice Sheet
You can download and use the sample data sheet to practice the POISSON.DIST function.