# Excel PERCENTILE.INC Function: Syntax, Examples & Tips - URL: https://betteranalyst.com/excel/percentile-inc-function - Author: Better Analyst Formula Bot is now Better Analyst—same account, more powerful analysis.Formula Bot is now Better Analyst—same account and workflows, with more powerful analysis, dashboards, and automation. [Learn what changed](https://betteranalyst.com/formula-bot-is-now-better-analyst) The PERCENTILE.INC function calculates the k-th percentile of a data set, helping to understand the distribution of values within it. ```excel =PERCENTILE.INC(array, k) ``` Generate FormulaExplain Formula One free generation or explanation per browser, shared across Excel and Google Sheets. Account usage limits apply afterward. Describe the PERCENTILE.INC you need in plain EnglishGenerate Formula Need more than a single PERCENTILE.INC formula? Try our free [AI for Excel](https://betteranalyst.com/excel-ai) — it reads your entire spreadsheet, answers questions in plain English, and builds charts and analysis in the same chat. ## Parameters **`array`**:\ The range of cells or array from which you want to determine the percentile. **`k`**:\ The percentile value you want to return, expressed as a decimal between 0 and 1, where 0 represents the minimum value and 1 represents the maximum value in the `array`. ## What is a PERCENTILE.INC Formula in Excel? The *PERCENTILE.INC* function in Excel is a statistical tool that allows you to determine the k-th percentile of a data set, where k is a value between 0 and 1. This function includes the endpoints, meaning it can return the minimum and maximum values of the dataset as percentiles. It is particularly useful for understanding the distribution of data and identifying thresholds. In simpler terms, the PERCENTILE.INC function helps you find a specific point in your data set that separates the top k percent from the bottom (100-k) percent, making it easier to analyze data distributions. ## A Practical Example Imagine you are analyzing the test scores of a group of students, and you have the following data in an Excel spreadsheet: ### Test Scores Table: | Student | Test Score | | - | - | | Alice | 85 | | Bob | 90 | | Charlie | 78 | | David | 92 | | Eve | 88 | You want to find the score that separates the top 20% of students from the rest. ## PERCENTILE.INC Formula To calculate the 80th percentile (which separates the top 20% of scores), you would use the PERCENTILE.INC formula as follows: ```excel =PERCENTILE.INC(B2:B6, 0.8) ``` ### Breakdown of the Formula: - **B2:B6**: This is the range of scores from which the percentile is calculated. - **0.8**: This is the k value representing the 80th percentile. ## Result of the Formula When you apply the formula, it calculates the score that corresponds to the 80th percentile. The output would be: | 80th Percentile Score | | - | | 90 | Here, the score of 90 indicates that 20% of the students scored above this value. ## Why Use PERCENTILE.INC? The PERCENTILE.INC function is particularly useful when you need to analyze data distributions and identify thresholds for performance, rankings, or any other metric. It allows you to quickly determine how a particular value compares to the rest of the dataset. ## Key Takeaways: - **PERCENTILE.INC**: Calculates the k-th percentile of a dataset, including the endpoints. - **Data Distribution Analysis**: Helps you understand how values are distributed within your dataset. - **Common Use Cases**: Ideal for academic performance analysis, financial data assessments, and any scenario where understanding percentiles is crucial. Understanding how to use the PERCENTILE.INC function can significantly enhance your data analysis capabilities in Excel, enabling you to extract meaningful insights from your datasets. Happy calculating! ## Example use case You have a table where Column A contains student names and Column B contains their corresponding exam scores. You can use the PERCENTILE.INC function to determine the score threshold for the top 25% of students. This allows educators to identify high-performing students and tailor advanced learning opportunities or rewards, facilitating targeted academic support without the need for complex statistical analysis. **Beyond the PERCENTILE.INC function:** Better Analyst is a full [Excel AI](https://betteranalyst.com/excel-ai) that goes well past individual formulas. Upload any spreadsheet and ask questions in plain English — you'll get formulas, data analysis, and charts back in seconds. It's a free [AI Excel assistant](https://betteranalyst.com/excel-ai) that works with any .xlsx, .xls, or .csv file — no plugins, no Microsoft 365 required. Don't have a spreadsheet yet? 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[Create Free Account](https://betteranalyst.com/signup)[Try Formula Generator](https://betteranalyst.com/excel-ai) ## Excel how-to guides - [How To Add A Column In Excel](https://betteranalyst.com/excel/how-to-add-a-column-in-excel) - [How To Alphabetize In Excel](https://betteranalyst.com/excel/how-to-alphabetize-in-excel) - [How To Autofit In Excel](https://betteranalyst.com/excel/how-to-autofit-in-excel) - [How To Calculate Percentage In Excel](https://betteranalyst.com/excel/how-to-calculate-percentage-in-excel) - [How To Combine Two Columns In Excel](https://betteranalyst.com/excel/how-to-combine-two-columns-in-excel) - [How To Copy Formula In Excel](https://betteranalyst.com/excel/how-to-copy-formula-in-excel) - [How To Count Unique Values In Excel](https://betteranalyst.com/excel/how-to-count-unique-values-in-excel) - [How To Create A Pivot Table In Excel](https://betteranalyst.com/excel/how-to-create-a-pivot-table-in-excel) ## Explore all Excel formulas Browse our complete library of Excel formula guides Compare your options ## Decide with evidence, not a sales pitch. 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