Common questions about the SKEW function usually involve errors, unexpected results, and repeated use across cells; this FAQ includes 3 practical answers and a glossary.
FAQ
What should I do if the SKEW function returns an error value?
- Check whether the selected parameter range contains text, spaces, or other non-numeric content.
- Confirm that the function name is spelled as
SKEWand that you are using English parentheses and commas. - If needed, reopen the Insert Function dialog box and verify the selected references one by one.
Why does the SKEW result look different from what I expected?
- Check whether the selected data range is correct and make sure no sample values were missed or added by mistake.
- Confirm that the cells used in the calculation are stored as numeric values rather than text-formatted numbers.
- Review the input range again in the function parameter window and recalculate.
How can I use the SKEW function in multiple cells?
- Enter the correct
=SKEW(...)formula in the first target cell. - Drag the fill handle from the lower-right corner of the cell, or copy and paste the formula into other cells.
- If some references must stay fixed, use the absolute reference symbol
$in the formula.
Glossary
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| SKEW | A statistical function used to calculate the skewness of a sample distribution. |
| Function arguments | The values, cells, or ranges that a function uses for calculation. |
| Absolute reference | A reference format that uses $ to lock a row or column so it does not shift when the formula is copied. |