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CHISQ.INV Function (LibreOffice Calc)

Statistical Intermediate LibreOffice Calc LibreOffice 4.0

The CHISQ.INV function returns the inverse of the left‑tailed chi-square distribution. It is used to compute critical values for hypothesis testing, confidence intervals, and statistical 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 **CHISQ.INV** function returns the **critical value** of the chi-square distribution for a given **left‑tail probability**. It is the modern replacement for legacy functions such as CHIINV (right‑tail) and is used in hypothesis testing, confidence intervals, and statistical modeling.

What the CHISQ.INV Function Does

  • Computes the inverse of the left‑tailed chi-square distribution
  • Returns the critical chi-square value for a given probability
  • Used in hypothesis testing and model evaluation
  • Modern, standards‑compliant statistical function

Syntax

CHISQ.INV(probability; degrees_freedom)

Arguments

  • probability:
    Left‑tail probability (0 < p < 1).

  • degrees_freedom:
    Degrees of freedom (must be ≥ 1).

Basic Examples

Left‑tail critical value

=CHISQ.INV(0.95; 10)
→ 18.307

Using cell references

=CHISQ.INV(A1; B1)

Compare with right‑tail inverse

=CHISQ.INV.RT(0.05; 10)

Compare with legacy function

=CHIINV(1 - p; df)

Advanced Examples

Two‑tailed chi-square test

Upper tail:

=CHISQ.INV.RT(0.025; df)

Lower tail:

=CHISQ.INV(0.025; df)

Validate with CHISQ.DIST

=CHISQ.DIST(CHISQ.INV(p; df); df; TRUE)
→ returns p

Use in confidence interval calculations

=Variance * CHISQ.INV(0.975; df)

Use in Monte Carlo simulations

=CHISQ.INV(RAND(); df)

Edge Cases and Behavior Details

CHISQ.INV returns a positive real number

Accepts:

  • 0 < probability < 1
  • degrees_freedom ≥ 1

Behavior details

  • Left‑tail only
  • Not symmetric
  • Uses gamma‑function internally
  • Replaces legacy CHIINV for left‑tail calculations

Invalid input → Err:502

CHISQ.INV of an error → error propagates

Common Errors and Fixes

Err:502 — Invalid argument

Cause:

  • probability ≤ 0 or ≥ 1
  • degrees_freedom < 1
  • Non-numeric input

Fix:

  • Ensure 0 < p < 1
  • Validate df ≥ 1
  • Convert text with VALUE

Unexpected critical values

Cause:

  • Confusing left‑tail vs right‑tail

Fix:

  • Use CHISQ.INV for left‑tail
  • Use CHISQ.INV.RT for right‑tail

Best Practices

  • Use CHISQ.INV for left‑tail critical values
  • Use CHISQ.INV.RT for right‑tail
  • Validate probability inputs carefully
  • Use CHISQ.TEST for full hypothesis testing
  • Use CHISQ.DIST for probability calculations
CHISQ.INV is essential for modern statistical modeling — use it for left‑tail critical values, confidence intervals, and hypothesis testing.
  • CHISQ.INV.RT — right‑tail inverse
  • CHISQ.DIST — left‑tail probability
  • CHISQ.DIST.RT — right‑tail probability
  • CHISQ.TEST — full chi-square test
  • GAMMA / GAMMALN — underlying math

By mastering CHISQ.INV, you can compute accurate chi-square critical values for any statistical model or hypothesis test in LibreOffice Calc.