by Returns the skewness of a distribution. Skewness characterizes the degree of asymmetry of a distribution around its mean. Positive skewness indicates a distribution with an asymmetric tail extending toward more positive values. Negative skewness indicates a distribution with an asymmetric tail extending toward more negative values.
Syntax:= SKEW(number1, [number2], …)
The SKEW 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 skewness. 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 SKEW function examples and explore how to use the SKEW function as a worksheet function in Microsoft Excel:
Example of SKEW Function in Excel (Positively Skewed in Excel):
Column A has a distribution of values. Skewness these values can be calculated using formula
Syntax: =SKEW(A2:A21)
Result: 0.495553072
as shown in the above example. This result in the value of 0.495553072. which indicates positive skew.
Example of SKEW Function in Excel (Negatively Skewed in Excel):
Column A has a distribution of values. Skewness these values can be calculated using formula
Syntax: =SKEW(A2:A21)
Result: 0.495553072
as shown in the above example. This result in the value of -0.773509377which indicates negative skew
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 three data points, or the sample standard deviation is zero, SKEW returns the #DIV/0! error value.
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The equation for skewness is defined as:
