How to use BETA.DIST Function in Excel

The Excel Beta.Dist function calculates the cumulative beta distribution function or the probability density function of the Beta distribution, for a supplied set of parameters.

The function was first introduced in Excel 2010 and so is not available in earlier versions of Excel. However, the Beta.Dist function is an updated version of the Betadist function, which is available in earlier versions of Excel.

Syntax:= BETA.DIST(x,alpha,beta,cumulative,[A],[B])

The BETA.DIST function syntax has the following arguments:

• X     Required. The value between A and B at which to evaluate the function
• Alpha     Required. A parameter of the distribution.
• Beta     Required. A parameter of the distribution.
• Cumulative      Required. A logical value that determines the form of the function. If cumulative is TRUE, BETA.DIST returns the cumulative distribution function; if FALSE, it returns the probability density function.
• A     Optional. A lower bound to the interval of x.

• B     Optional. An upper bound to the interval of x.

Example: Let’s look at some Excel BETA.DIST function examples and explore how to use the BETA.DIST function as a worksheet function in Microsoft Excel:

Syntax:  =BETA.DIST(B2,B3,B4,TRUE,B5,B6)

Result:

Based on the Excel spreadsheet above, the following BETA.DIST examples would return:

Example of BETA.DIST Function in Excel which calculates Cumulative Beta Distribution:

Beta Distribution function – BETA.DIST, is supplied values from 0 to 1 on interval of 0.1 along with alpha value as 8, beta value as 9 and cumulative value as TRUE.

So the result will be cumulative beta probability distribution function ranging from 0 to 1 as shown below.

Cumulative Beta Distribution of x ranging from 0 to 1 with alpha =8 and beta=9 is plotted below

Example of BETA.DIST Function in Excel which calculates probability Density function of beta Distribution

Beta Distribution function – BETA.DIST, is supplied values from 0 to 1 on interval of 0.1 along with alpha value as 8, beta value as 9 and cumulative value as FALSE.

So the result will be probability density function of beta distribution.

Probability density function of x ranging from 0 to 1 with alpha =8 and beta=9 is plotted below

Note:

• If any parameter is nonnumeric, BETA.DIST returns the #VALUE! error value.
• If alpha ≤ 0 or beta ≤ 0, BETA.DIST returns the #NUM! error value.
• If x < A, or x > B, or A = B, BETA.DIST returns the #NUM! error value.
• If you omit values for A and B, BETA.DIST uses the standard cumulative beta distribution, so that A = 0 and B = 1.