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BETADIST Function (LibreOffice Calc)

Statistical Advanced LibreOffice Calc LibreOffice 3.0

The BETADIST function returns the cumulative beta distribution, commonly used in statistics, Bayesian analysis, quality control, and probability modeling.

Verification status: Consult the documentation and examples below. Native application testing has not been documented for this guide. How formula examples are checked

The **BETADIST** function returns the **cumulative beta distribution**, a flexible probability distribution used in Bayesian statistics, quality control, reliability engineering, and modeling bounded random variables.

What the BETADIST Function Does

  • Computes the cumulative beta distribution
  • Supports optional lower/upper bounds
  • Useful for Bayesian inference, A/B testing, and bounded probability modeling
  • Models variables constrained to a range (e.g., 0–1 or custom bounds)

Syntax

Standard form (0 to 1)

BETADIST(x; alpha; beta)

Bounded form (a to b)

BETADIST(x; alpha; beta; a; b)

Arguments

  • x:
    The value at which to evaluate the distribution.

  • alpha:
    Shape parameter α (must be > 0).

  • beta:
    Shape parameter β (must be > 0).

  • a (optional):
    Lower bound of the interval (default = 0).

  • b (optional):
    Upper bound of the interval (default = 1).

Basic Examples

Standard beta CDF

=BETADIST(0.5; 2; 5)
→ cumulative probability at x = 0.5

Bounded beta distribution

=BETADIST(7; 2; 3; 0; 10)

Using cell references

=BETADIST(A1; B1; C1)

Advanced Examples

Bayesian posterior probability (Beta prior)

=BETADIST(0.8; Successes+1; Failures+1)

A/B test probability that p ≤ threshold

=BETADIST(0.6; A_success+1; A_fail+1)

Reliability modeling (bounded variable)

=BETADIST(A1; 3; 4; 10; 20)

Compute probability between two points

=BETADIST(x2; α; β) - BETADIST(x1; α; β)

Normalize x for bounded beta

=BETADIST((A1 - a) / (b - a); α; β)

Use with BETA.INV for quantile calculations

=BETAINV(0.95; α; β)

Edge Cases and Behavior Details

BETADIST returns a numeric probability between 0 and 1

Accepts:

  • x within [a, b]
  • α > 0
  • β > 0

Behavior details

  • If x < a → returns 0
  • If x > b → returns 1
  • α and β control skewness and shape
  • Default bounds are 0 and 1
  • Distribution is continuous and smooth

Invalid input → Err:502

BETADIST of an error → error propagates

Common Errors and Fixes

Err:502 — Invalid argument

Cause:

  • α ≤ 0 or β ≤ 0
  • a ≥ b
  • Non-numeric input

Fix:

  • Validate α and β
  • Ensure a < b
  • Convert text with VALUE

Unexpected probability values

Cause:

  • x outside bounds
  • Misinterpreting cumulative vs. density

Fix:

  • Check bounds
  • Use BETA() for density instead of BETADIST

Best Practices

  • Use BETADIST for Bayesian posteriors and bounded probabilities
  • Validate α and β to avoid domain errors
  • Use bounded form for real-world ranges
  • Combine with BETAINV for quantile analysis
  • Use differences of BETADIST for interval probabilities
BETADIST is your go‑to tool for Bayesian modeling, A/B testing, and any probability distribution constrained to a finite interval.
  • Use BETAINV for inverse cumulative beta
  • Use BETA for the probability density function
  • Use NORMDIST, FDIST, and GAMMADIST for other distributions
  • Use GAMMALN for stable parameter calculations

By mastering BETADIST, you can build powerful statistical, Bayesian, and probability‑driven models in LibreOffice Calc.