How to use BINOM.INV Function in Excel

The BINOM.INV function is categorized under Excel Statistical functions. It will calculate the inverse Binomial Distribution in Excel. That is, for a given number of independent trials, the function will return the smallest value of x (the number of successes) for a specified Cumulative Binomial Distribution probability. For example, we can use it to calculate the minimum number of tosses of a coin required to produce a 50% chance of getting at least 10 heads.

Syntax:= BINOM.INV(trials,probability_s,alpha)

The BINOM.INV function syntax has the following arguments:

1. Trials (required argument) – This is the number of Bernoulli trials. That is, it is the number of independent trials that are to be done. Excel will truncate the value to an integer if we provide it in decimal form.
2. Probability_s (required argument) – This is the probability of success in a single trial.
3. Alpha (required argument) – This is the probability of Cumulative Binomial distribution. It should be between 0 and 1.

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

Syntax:  =BINOM.INV(B1,B2,B3)

Result: 46

Based on the Excel spreadsheet above, the following BINOM.INV examples would return:

Note:

• If any argument is nonnumeric, BINOM.INV returns the #VALUE! error value.
• If trials is not an integer, it is truncated.
• If trials < 0, BINOM.INV returns the #NUM! error value.
• If probability_s is < 0 or probability_s > 1, BINOM.INV returns the #NUM! error value.

• If alpha < 0 or alpha > 1, BINOM.INV returns the #NUM! error value.