BINOM.DIST.RANGE and B in LibreOffice Calc: Formula Names
BINOM.DIST.RANGE is an OpenFormula storage spelling for B in Calc. Use B in ordinary English worksheet formulas and check inclusive binomial examples.
Verification status: See the evidence and test scope described in this guide. How formula examples are checked
BINOM.DIST.RANGE is an OpenFormula storage spelling for Calc’s B function, not an additional native function. For ordinary English worksheet formulas, use B with the argument order shown below. A file-format spelling is not a guarantee that the same text can be entered in every formula grammar.
Availability and version history
- First introduced: The introduction version of this storage-name mapping has not been established. The previous claimed introduction date has been withdrawn.
- Current status: The LibreOffice 26.8.1.1 source maps OpenFormula BINOM.DIST.RANGE to the same operation as the English display name B.
- Last supported version / retirement: No removal or final supported version established. This is an active compatibility mapping, not a proven retired function.
- Platform/format scope: Desktop Calc; OpenFormula storage names and English worksheet names must be distinguished.
- Native testing: The B interval example was checked through an imported XLSX in LibreOfficeDev 26.8.0.0.alpha0 (build 2c87e51eeaa2b413ff4ae097b2705eea1995d8e5). A properly encoded OOXML BINOM.DIST cumulative-difference example was also checked. These are import/recalculation tests, not direct-entry tests across all versions.
- Evidence checked: 2026-10-14. OpenFormula name mapping and official B Help.
Calculate an inclusive binomial interval with B
For 10 independent trials, success probability 0.5, and between 3 and 5 successes inclusive:
=B(10;0.5;3;5)
Expected result: 0.568359375. Calc’s documented B function accepts Trials, success probability, lower success count and an optional upper count. If the upper count is omitted, it calculates the probability of the single count in the third argument.
An independent check sums the binomial probabilities for k=3,4,5: (120+210+252)/1024 = 0.568359375. The coefficients count the arrangements of those success totals.
Equivalent cumulative-probability calculation
You can also subtract two BINOM.DIST cumulative probabilities:
=BINOM.DIST(5;10;0.5;TRUE())-BINOM.DIST(2;10;0.5;TRUE())
The lower subtraction uses 2, one less than the inclusive lower boundary 3. Subtracting the CDF at 3 would incorrectly exclude the probability of exactly 3 successes.
For an interval starting at zero, use the upper cumulative probability directly instead of evaluating a lower CDF at -1. Keep the success probability within 0–1 and counts within the trial range. Use deliberate integer trial/count inputs rather than relying on truncation of fractions.
Match the probability model
A binomial calculation assumes a fixed number of independent trials with a constant success probability. Sampling without replacement from a finite population generally calls for a hypergeometric model instead. The availability of a formula does not establish that the statistical assumptions fit the data.
Do not simply rename BINOM.DIST.RANGE to BINOM.DIST: the argument order and cumulative flag are different. This page preserves the old URL so a reader arriving with that name can find a valid Calc calculation.