NORMINV

See Also

Returns the inverse of the normal cumulative distribution for the specified mean and standard deviation.

Syntax

NORMINV(probability,mean,standard_dev)

Probability   is a probability corresponding to the normal distribution.

Mean   is the arithmetic mean of the distribution.

Standard_dev   is the standard deviation of the distribution.

Remarks

NORMINV uses an iterative technique for calculating the function. Given a probability value, NORMINV iterates until the result is accurate to within ± 3x10^-7. If NORMINV does not converge after 100 iterations, the function returns the #N/A error value.

Example

The example may be easier to understand if you copy it to a blank spreadsheet.

How?

  1. Create a blank spreadsheet.
  2. Select the example in the Help topic.

    Selecting example from Help

    Selecting an example from Help

  3. Press CTRL+C.
  4. In the spreadsheet, select cell A1, and press CTRL+V.
  5. To switch between viewing the formula that returns the result and the result in the cell, select the cell and press F2 and then ENTER, or click Commands and Options on the spreadsheet toolbar, click the Formula tab, and look in the Formula in active cell (active cell) box.
Data Description
0.908789 Probability corresponding to the normal distribution
40 Arithmetic mean of the distribution
1.5 Standard deviation of the distribution
Formula Description (Result)
=NORMINV(A2,A3,A4) Inverse of the normal cumulative distribution for the terms above (42)