Buzz
POISSON.DIST function is one of the statistical functions highly favored in Excel. Using this function helps you perform calculations in Excel to derive Poisson distribution results.
How to Use POISSON.DIST Function in MS Excel
Unlock the Potential of POISSON.DIST in Excel
1. Description and Syntax
This function returns the Poisson distribution, applied to predict the number of events in a specific time frame. Supported from Excel 2013 onwards.
Syntax:
= POISSON.DIST(x,mean,cumulative)
Where:
- X represents the number of events.
- Mean
- Cumulative is a logical value.
2. Points to Note
- Both X and Mean are mandatory values.
- Cumulative is optional. Cumulative = True -> returns the cumulative distribution function; Cumulative = False -> returns the probability mass function.
- If X is not an integer, it gets truncated.
- If X or the mean value is non-numeric, POISSON.DIST function returns a #VALUE! error.
- If X is less than 0, the POISSON.DIST function returns a #NUM! error.
- If the mean value is less than 0, the POISSON.DIST function returns a #NUM! error.
- The POISSON.DIST function with False cumulative is calculated using the formula:
- POISSON.DIST function with cumulative as True is calculated using the formula:
3. Illustrated Example
Calculating the Poisson distribution with specific information from the example spreadsheet below:
Step 1: Enter the function syntax in cell C3 as follows:
Step 2: Press the Enter key to receive the function result:
0.151203882 represents the Poisson distribution in the example problem above
In case X or the mean value is non-numeric, the POISSON.DIST function returns a #VALUE! error as shown in the image below:
If X is less than 0, the POISSON.DIST function returns a #NUM! error as shown in the image below:
We've just guided you on how to use POISSON.DIST Function in Excel, a computation function to derive Poisson distribution results.
Additionally, you should explore and refer to other fundamental Excel functions that Mytour has introduced before, to review and refresh your understanding of formulas and how to use functions in Excel. Wishing you success!
