> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.fabricplan.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.fabricplan.com/planning-sheets/reference/formula-syntax/statistical-functions/calculate-normal-distribution-values.md).

# Calculate normal distribution values

### NORMDIST

The *NORMDIST* function returns the normal distribution for a specified mean and standard deviation. It can return either the cumulative distribution function (CDF) or the probability density function (PDF), depending on the value of the cumulative argument.

#### Syntax

```
NORMDIST(x, mean, std_dev, cumulative)
```

#### Arguments

* `x`: The value for which the distribution is calculated.
* `mean`: The arithmetic mean of the distribution.
* `std_dev`: The standard deviation of the distribution.
* `cumulative`: Specifies the type of distribution to return.
  * `TRUE`: Returns the cumulative distribution function (CDF).
  * `FALSE`: Returns the probability density function (PDF).

#### Return value

Returns the normal distribution value for the specified input based on the selected distribution type.

#### Example

```
NORMDIST(42, 40, 1.5, TRUE)
```

Returns the cumulative normal distribution for the specified value. In this example, the function returns `0.9087`.

You can use the *NORMDIST* function to analyze the probability of outcomes in datasets that follow a normal distribution, such as estimating the likelihood of meeting a revenue target or evaluating test scores.

<figure><img src="https://257222532-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FUtolck8kt8atqxFPsEBn%2Fuploads%2FmZHGxhEkztQATvhYwv2x%2Fimage.png?alt=media&amp;token=55d76cad-8744-4169-82de-f407b0577e26" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

#### Excel equivalent

[NORMDIST](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/normdist-function-126db625-c53e-4591-9a22-c9ff422d6d58)

### NORMINV

The *NORMINV* function returns the inverse of the normal cumulative distribution for a specified mean and standard deviation. It calculates the value corresponding to a given probability on a normal distribution curve.

#### Syntax

```
NORMINV(probability, mean, std_dev)
```

#### Arguments

* `probability`: The probability corresponding to the normal distribution.
* `mean`: The arithmetic mean of the distribution.
* `std_dev`: The standard deviation of the distribution.

#### Return value

Returns the value corresponding to the specified probability for the given normal distribution.

#### Example

```
NORMINV(0.90, 50, 5)
```

Returns the value corresponding to the specified probability. In this example, the function returns `56.41`.

You can use the *NORMINV* function to determine critical values or thresholds, such as calculating the score required to be in the top 10% of a dataset or finding the target value corresponding to a specified probability.

<figure><img src="https://257222532-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FUtolck8kt8atqxFPsEBn%2Fuploads%2FG4HvB4QElQuPOjIVdQkD%2Fimage.png?alt=media&amp;token=ca70955e-3487-4691-be7d-97f3dd06beeb" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

#### Excel equivalent

[NORMINV](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/norminv-function-87981ab8-2de0-4cb0-b1aa-e21d4cb879b8)

### NORMSDIST

The *NORMSDIST* function returns the standard normal distribution for a specified value. It is a special case of the normal distribution where the mean is `0` and the standard deviation is `1`. The function can return either the cumulative distribution function (CDF) or the probability density function (PDF), depending on the value of the cumulative argument.

#### Syntax

```
NORMSDIST(value, cumulative)
```

#### Arguments

* `value`: The numeric value for which the distribution is calculated.
* `cumulative`: Specifies the type of distribution to return.
  * `TRUE`: Returns the cumulative distribution function (CDF).
  * `FALSE`: Returns the probability density function (PDF).

#### Return value

Returns the standard normal distribution value for the specified input based on the selected distribution type.

#### Example

```
NORMSDIST(1, TRUE)
```

Returns the cumulative standard normal distribution for the specified value. In this example, the function returns `0.8413`.

You can use the *NORMSDIST* function to analyze standardized data and determine the probability or percentile of a specific outcome within a standard normal distribution.

<figure><img src="https://257222532-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FUtolck8kt8atqxFPsEBn%2Fuploads%2FOqDFFocpu4hfbe9WdXrI%2Fimage.png?alt=media&amp;token=41da19d2-0fba-4927-bf37-5d35119545e3" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

#### Excel equivalent

[NORMSDIST](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/normsdist-function-463369ea-0345-445d-802a-4ff0d6ce7cac)

### NORMSINV

The *NORMSINV* function returns the inverse of the standard normal cumulative distribution. It assumes a normal distribution with a mean of `0` and a standard deviation of `1`.

#### Syntax

```
NORMSINV(probability)
```

#### Arguments

* `probability`: The probability corresponding to the standard normal distribution.

#### Return value

Returns the value corresponding to the specified probability for the standard normal distribution.

#### Example

```
NORMSINV(0.90)
```

Returns the value corresponding to the specified probability. In this example, the function returns `1.28`.

You can use the *NORMSINV* function to determine the number of standard deviations a value is from the mean. This is useful for calculating z-scores and creating standardized benchmarks to compare values across different datasets.

<figure><img src="https://257222532-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FUtolck8kt8atqxFPsEBn%2Fuploads%2FIqYJfEI1LjyxJpAw3cBt%2Fimage.png?alt=media&amp;token=d6941ae0-648a-4a70-a8d5-a395820f1ebf" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

#### Excel equivalent

[NORMSINV](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/normsinv-function-8d1bce66-8e4d-4f3b-967c-30eed61f019d)


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