How to use NORM.S.DIST Function in Excel

The Excel NORM.S.DIST function returns output for the standard normal cumulative distribution (CDF) and the standard normal probability density function (PDF).

Syntax:= NORM.S.DIST(z,cumulative)

The NORM.S.DIST function syntax has the following arguments:

• Z     Required. The value for which you want the distribution.

• Cumulative     Required. Cumulative is a logical value that determines the form of the function. If cumulative is TRUE, NORMS.DIST returns the cumulative distribution function; if FALSE, it returns the probability mass function.

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

Example 1 – Standard Normal Density Function

Syntax:  =NORM.S.DIST(A2,FALSE)

Result: 0.0175283

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

Example 2 – Standard Cumulative Distribution Function

Syntax: =NORM.S.DIST(A2,TRUE)

Result: 0.006209665

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

Note:

1. The NORM.DIST() function refers to any normal distribution, whereas the NORMSDIST() compatibility function and the NORM.S.DIST() consistency function refer specifically to the unit normal distribution.
2. #VALUE! error – Occurs when any of the given arguments is non-numeric or is a non-logical value.
3. S.DIST is a special case of NORM.DIST. If we let the mean equal 0 and the standard deviation equal 1, the calculations for NORM.DIST match those of NORM.S.DIST.
4. The NORM.S.DIST function was introduced in MS Excel 2010 as a replacement for the NORMSDIST function.
5. The equation for the standard normal density function is: