The KURT function returns the kurtosis of a data set. Kurtosis characterizes the relative peakedness or flatness of a distribution compared with the normal distribution.
Two types of kurtosis exist. They are −
- Positive kurtosis indicates a relatively peaked distribution.
- Negative kurtosis indicates a relatively flat distribution.
Syntax:= KURT(number1, [number2], …)
The KURT function syntax has the following arguments:
- Number1, number2, … Number1 is required, subsequent numbers are optional. 1 to 255 arguments for which you want to calculate kurtosis. You can also use a single array or a reference to an array instead of arguments separated by commas.
Example: Let’s look at some Excel KURT function examples and explore how to use the KURT function as a worksheet function in Microsoft Excel:
Column A has an array of data. The kurtosis of this data can be calculated using the Excel Kurt function.
Syntax: =KURT(A2:A16)
Result: 0.573517392
This gives the result 0.573517392, indicating a distribution that is relatively peaked (compared to the normal distribution).
Note:
- Arguments can either be numbers or names, arrays, or references that contain numbers.
- Logical values and text representations of numbers that you type directly into the list of arguments are counted.
- If an array or reference argument contains text, logical values, or empty cells, those values are ignored; however, cells with the value zero are included.
- Arguments that are error values or text that cannot be translated into numbers cause errors.
- If there are fewer than four data points, or if the standard deviation of the sample equals zero, KURT returns the #DIV/0! error value.
- Kurtosis is defined as:
where s is the sample standard deviation.
