NORMSDIST and LEGACYNORMSDIST in Calligra Sheets

• Introduced: First release not established. The name is registered in Calligra 2.4.0, which proves historical presence, not introduction.
• Availability: Supported in Calligra Sheets 26.08.2, according to the release-pinned registration.
• Scope: Desktop Sheets with the statistical functions module available. Names and separators can depend on locale.
• Checked: October 14, 2026. The NORMSDIST worksheet examples are independent mathematical references. 17 selected LEGACYNORMSDIST expressions ran through the 25.04.2 engine library, as detailed below; 26.08.2 was source-checked only, with no GUI-cell or import verification.

NORMSDIST always returns a cumulative probability for the standard normal distribution, whose mean is zero and standard deviation is one. It has no cumulative/density switch and does not return the bell curve’s height. KDE function handbook.

The mathematical relationship is Φ(z)=0.5×[1+erf(z/√2)]. Φ denotes the standard-normal cumulative distribution. These formulas describe an assumed probability model; successful calculation does not establish that a normal distribution fits a real dataset.

=NORMSDIST(Number)

All listed arguments are required; there is no documented default to substitute for an omitted input. Use semicolons as shown in the English KDE examples, decimal points in the sample data, and the separators accepted by your installation. Release-pinned function help.

Enter the numeric inputs into the stated columns, then enter the indicated result formula. Fill through row 12. The expected results are mathematical references rounded to twelve decimal places; a displayed probability used as a new input can differ slightly from its unrounded original.

Standardize a measurement first

Suppose a model has mean 100 and SD 10, and the observed value is 110. Enter the observation 110 in A2, the mean 100 in B2, and the SD 10 in C2. The z-score in D2 is =(A2-B2)/C2, giving 1. Enter =NORMSDIST(D2) in E2 to obtain approximately 0.841344746069.

The formula answers a normal-model probability question. It does not establish that your observations are normal or that the mean/SD are reliable estimates. A zero or negative SD must be corrected before standardizing.

Two-sided and interval questions

The area between −1.96 and +1.96 is:

=NORMSDIST(1.96)-NORMSDIST(-1.96)

The expected result is 0.950004209704. The small difference from 0.95 comes from using rounded 1.96 rather than the exact 97.5th-percentile z-score. For a standard-normal two-sided tail beyond ±2, =2*(1-NORMSDIST(2)) gives approximately 0.045500263896.

The documented argument is a numeric z-score; negative values are valid and yield probabilities below 0.5. Do not pass a raw measurement from a nonstandard normal model without first subtracting its mean and dividing by its positive SD. Nonnumeric input and locale conversion should be checked in your installed build. Release computation and guards.

The release computes its centered-normal helper plus 0.5. In far tails, finite precision can round results to 0 or 1. Treat an extreme displayed endpoint as a numerical limitation rather than proof that the mathematical probability is exactly zero or one.

An internal Value::errorVALUE() in the source identifies the error category, not a guarantee of the same visible token in every package or locale. Validate numeric input cells and units rather than depending on implicit text or blank-cell conversion.

=LEGACYNORMSDIST(z) is an active alias for NORMSDIST. The 26.08.2 alias registration and the canonical registration use the same one-argument contract, argument-handling settings and complete callback. The alias is already present in Calligra 2.4.0 source; its first introduction is not established. The callback adds 0.5 to its centered-normal GAUSS helper. Its old “lognormal” comment is misleading: this is the ordinary standard-normal cumulative distribution, not a lognormal distribution. The LEGACY prefix does not identify a retired function.

The following 17 selected expressions ran through the official Calligra 25.04.2 engine library. Their exact function spelling is retained: the earlier NORMSDIST worksheet remains a mathematical recipe, while these alias expressions provide the engine evidence. Version 26.08.2 was source-checked only. There is no GUI-cell or import claim.

Alias values and independent references

The engine and mathematical columns are separate. Values are rounded to twelve decimal places for presentation, not as a guarantee for every input.

Alias boundaries

At z=10 and z=−10, the engine returned 1 and 0. The true standard normal tails are small but nonzero, so subtracting from 1 or logging the rounded result cannot recover them. Keep extreme-tail precision separate from ordinary-value examples.

Numeric text was parsed; nonnumeric text and FALSE became zero, giving 0.5. TRUE became one. Such conversions can hide data mistakes. Require the intended numeric input instead of treating a plausible probability as proof that parsing succeeded.

Alias consistency check

The mathematical interval probability Φ(1)−Φ(−1) is approximately 0.682689492137. The executed identity below checks symmetry instead.

The executed advanced check was:

=LEGACYNORMSDIST(1)+LEGACYNORMSDIST(-1)

Its engine result was 1.

Source and precision evidence

• Function-specific implementation
• Gauss helper
• Conversion helper
• Function Default helper

The statistical and math modules and value-calculation helpers are byte-identical between the inspected 25.04.2 and 26.08.2 sources. That comparison supports the source discussion but does not establish later-version execution, GUI-cell behavior or other locales.

NORMDIST supplies the general normal CDF or density; NORMINV reverses its CDF. NORMSDIST and NORMSINV use mean zero and standard deviation one. Follow each function’s own argument contract instead of adding or omitting a flag by analogy.

Other spreadsheet programs may use dotted names such as NORM.DIST or NORM.S.INV. A related mathematical name does not prove that an imported formula, error display or locale separator transfers unchanged. Validate the actual target workbook when exchanging files.

• NORMSDIST handbook entry
• Calligra 26.08.2 syntax and argument help
• Release-pinned calculation and domain guards