The QUARTILE.INC function in Excel is essential for statistical analysis, allowing users to determine the quartiles of a given dataset. Quartiles divide the data into four equal parts, facilitating insights into the distribution and spread of values. This function is particularly useful in fields such as finance, research, and data analytics, where understanding data distribution is crucial.

Syntax

QUARTILE.INC(array, quart)  
  
array: The range of data for which you want to find the quartile.
  
quart: An integer value that specifies which quartile to return (0 for minimum, 1 for first quartile, 2 for median, 3 for third quartile, and 4 for maximum).
  

Example #1

QUARTILE.INC(A1:A10, 1)

This function call would return the first quartile of the data in cells A1 to A10. For example, if the data is {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10}, the result would be 3.25.

Example #2

QUARTILE.INC(B1:B10, 2)

This command calculates the median (the second quartile) of the values in cells B1 to B10. With the data set {10, 12, 15, 14, 18, 20}, the median would be 15.

Example #3

QUARTILE.INC(C1:C10, 3)

This function provides the third quartile for the range C1 to C10. If the values are {5, 7, 8, 13, 15, 20, 22, 25, 28, 30}, the third quartile would be 25.

Error handling

• NUM!: This error indicates that the quart argument is not an integer between 0 and 4.
• VALUE!: Occurs if a non-numeric value is included in the array.
• DIV/0!: This error may appear if the array is empty.

Conclusion

In summary, the QUARTILE.INC function is a powerful tool for anyone dealing with data analysis in Excel. By allowing users to efficiently find quartiles, it enhances the ability to interpret and present data effectively. Understanding how to utilize this function can significantly aid in statistical decision-making and data-driven insights.