The NORM.DIST function in Google Sheets is a powerful tool used to compute the normal distribution of a given value. It plays a pivotal role in statistical analysis, allowing users to evaluate data against the properties of normal distribution. This function is particularly useful in areas such as finance, quality control, and any field that requires understanding probabilities associated with normally distributed data.

Syntax

NORM.DIST(x, mean, standard_deviation, cumulative)

x: The value for which you want the distribution.
mean: The arithmetic average of the distribution.
standard_deviation: The standard deviation that measures dispersion from the mean.
cumulative: A logical value; TRUE returns the cumulative distribution function, while FALSE returns the probability density function.

Example #1

NORM.DIST(5, 0, 1, TRUE)

This function calculates the cumulative distribution for a standard normal distribution where the mean is 0 and the standard deviation is 1. The output might be approximately 0.9938, indicating that about 99.38% of the values lie below 5.

Example #2

NORM.DIST(2, 1, 0.5, FALSE)

For this example, the function returns the probability density of the value 2 for a normal distribution with a mean of 1 and a standard deviation of 0.5. The result could be around 0.7962, indicating the likelihood of observing the value exactly at 2.

Example #3

NORM.DIST(10, 5, 2, TRUE)

Here, the function evaluates the cumulative distribution for a normal distribution where the mean is 5 and the standard deviation is 2. The output may be roughly 0.9772, signifying that about 97.72% of the values are below 10.

Error handling

• NUM! – Indicates an error due to non-numeric input in the x, mean, or standard_deviation parameters.
• VALUE! – This error occurs if the cumulative parameter is not a valid logical value (TRUE or FALSE).
• DIV/0! – This error arises when the standard deviation is set to zero, which is not allowed as it leads to undefined results.

Conclusion

The NORM.DIST function is an essential statistical tool in Google Sheets for analyzing normal distributions. By understanding its parameters and applications, users can gain valuable insights into data behavior and probabilities in various scenarios.