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PERCENTILE.INC Function (LibreOffice Calc)

Math Intermediate LibreOffice Calc LibreOffice 4.3

The PERCENTILE.INC function in LibreOffice Calc returns the k-th percentile of a dataset using the inclusive method. This guide explains syntax, examples, edge cases, errors, and best practices.

Verification status: Consult the documentation, examples and any stated test scope below. How formula examples are checked

Availability and version history

  • Introduced: LibreOffice 4.3.
  • Availability: Supported in LibreOffice 26.8.1.1, verified against its function registry. This identifies a supported release, not a final working version.
  • Scope: Desktop Calc, using the English function name. Availability in other spreadsheet applications is separate.
  • Checked: 2026-10-14 — function reference; versioned support. Documentation/source check; not a new native test. Existing example-specific test claims below retain their stated scope.
The **PERCENTILE.INC** function returns the *k‑th percentile* of a dataset using the **inclusive** method, meaning both endpoints (0th and 100th percentiles) are allowed. It is widely used in statistics, grading systems, financial analysis, and distribution modeling.

What the PERCENTILE.INC Function Does

  • Returns the k‑th percentile of a dataset
  • Uses the inclusive method (k ranges from 0 to 1)
  • Works with numbers, ranges, and arrays
  • Useful for grading, thresholds, and distribution analysis
  • Works across sheets
  • Supports interpolation between values

PERCENTILE.INC is the standard percentile function in most spreadsheet systems.

Syntax

PERCENTILE.INC(range; k)
k must be between 0 and 1, inclusive.
Example: 0.25 = 25th percentile.

Basic Examples

90th percentile

=PERCENTILE.INC(A1:A100; 0.9)

25th percentile

=PERCENTILE.INC(A1:A100; 0.25)

Median using PERCENTILE.INC

=PERCENTILE.INC(A1:A100; 0.5)

Minimum and maximum via percentiles

=PERCENTILE.INC(A1:A100; 0)     → min  
=PERCENTILE.INC(A1:A100; 1)     → max

Advanced Examples

Percentile across sheets

=PERCENTILE.INC((Sheet1.A1:A100; Sheet2.A1:A100); 0.9)

Percentile ignoring errors (using AGGREGATE)

=AGGREGATE(16; 2; A1:A100; 0.9)

Percentile of visible cells only (filtered data)

=AGGREGATE(16; 1; A1:A100; 0.9)

Conditional percentile (indirect)

LibreOffice has no PERCENTILEIF, but you can simulate it:

=PERCENTILE.INC(IF(B1:B100="North"; A1:A100); 0.9)

(Confirm with Ctrl+Shift+Enter in older Calc versions.)

Percentile excluding zeros

=PERCENTILE.INC(IF(A1:A100<>0; A1:A100); 0.9)

Percentile using sorted helper column

=INDEX(SORT(A1:A100); ROUNDUP(COUNT(A1:A100)*0.9; 0))

Percentile for grading thresholds

=PERCENTILE.INC(Scores; 0.75)

How PERCENTILE.INC Calculates Values

  1. Sorts the dataset
  2. Computes position:
    position = (n - 1) * k + 1
  3. Interpolates if position is not an integer

Example:
Dataset size = 10
k = 0.9
Position = (10 - 1) * 0.9 + 1 = 9.1
Result = 90% between 9th and 10th values.

Common Errors and Fixes

Err:502 — Invalid argument

Occurs when:

  • k is outside 0–1
  • Range contains no numeric values
  • Non-numeric text is included

Err:504 — Parameter error

Occurs when:

  • Semicolons are incorrect
  • Range is malformed

Percentile returns unexpected result

Possible causes:

  • Dataset contains zeros
  • Dataset contains errors
  • Hidden rows included

Fix:
Use AGGREGATE for visibility‑aware percentiles.

Percentile differs from PERCENTILE.EXC

This is expected—PERCENTILE.EXC excludes endpoints and uses a different formula.

Best Practices

  • Use PERCENTILE.INC for standard percentile calculations
  • Use PERCENTILE.EXC for statistical analysis requiring strict exclusion of endpoints
  • Use AGGREGATE for error‑tolerant or visibility‑aware percentiles
  • Use array formulas for conditional percentiles
  • Clean imported data before analysis
  • Use named ranges for cleaner formulas
PERCENTILE.INC is ideal for grading curves, financial thresholds, and distribution modeling where inclusive endpoints are required.