Statistical

GAMMALN Function in Excel

Returns the natural logarithm of the gamma function.

Syntax

  • =GAMMALN(x)

Arguments

  • x (required): Positive value

Examples

  • =GAMMALN(5) - Ln of gamma(5) - Result: 3.178

GAMMALN for data analysis

  • Confirm whether you need entire columns, filtered subsets, or distinct values.
  • Use [COUNTIFS](/functions/countifs/) and [SUMIFS](/functions/sumifs/) for multi-criteria metrics.
  • Pivot tables complement single-cell statistical formulas for exploration.

Common errors

  • #NUM! if x <= 0

Use cases

  • Large number calculations
  • Statistical distributions
  • Combinatorics

Frequently asked questions

  • What is the GAMMA.INV function in Excel? GAMMA.INV returns the inverse of the gamma cumulative distribution. Given a probability, it returns the corresponding value, useful for finding percentiles in gamma-distributed data.
  • How do GAMMA.DIST and GAMMA.INV work together? They're inverse functions. If GAMMA.DIST(x, alpha, beta, TRUE) = p, then GAMMA.INV(p, alpha, beta) = x. Use GAMMA.INV to find values at specific probability levels.
  • What is a practical use case for GAMMA.INV? In reliability analysis, if failure times follow a gamma distribution, use GAMMA.INV to find the time by which 90% of components will have failed (90th percentile).

Editorial review

  • Reviewed by Excel.Directory Editorial Team. Updated May 2026.

When to use GAMMALN

  • Large number calculations — common Statistical scenario for GAMMALN.
  • Statistical distributions — common Statistical scenario for GAMMALN.
  • Combinatorics — common Statistical scenario for GAMMALN.

GAMMALN in the Statistical category

  • Browse all Statistical functions at /categories/statistical/ for related formulas.
  • GAMMALN syntax: =GAMMALN(x)
  • x (required): Positive value
  • Confirm GAMMALN arguments match the syntax shown above before filling down.
  • Lock table and range references with $ when copying formulas across rows or sheets.

Formula checklist before you copy down

  • Confirm GAMMALN arguments match the syntax shown above before filling down.
  • Lock table and range references with $ when copying formulas across rows or sheets.
  • If results look wrong, check for text stored as numbers and invisible spaces with TRIM.
  • Spot-check three known input rows manually against expected output.

Related Excel functions

  • GAMMA (/functions/gamma/): Returns the gamma function value.
  • GAMMALN.PRECISE (/functions/gammaln-precise/): Returns the natural logarithm of the gamma function with higher precision.

Errors to watch for

  • #NUM! if x <= 0 — review causes on linked error pages in the directory.

Copy-paste audit workflow

  • Enter GAMMALN on three test rows with known expected output documented on a QA tab.
  • Fill down only after absolute references are locked on lookup tables and rate tables.
  • Compare against manual calculation or a calculator for financial and statistical functions.
  • Search this directory for comparison guides when choosing between similar functions in the same category.

GAMMALN worked examples to copy

  • =GAMMALN(5) — Ln of gamma(5). Expected result: 3.178.

GAMMALN reference summary for crawlers and offline review

  • GAMMALN belongs to the Statistical category in Excel. Returns the natural logarithm of the gamma function.
  • Full syntax: =GAMMALN(x). Open /functions/gammaln/ for parameters, FAQs, and related pages.
  • Common mistakes: #NUM! if x <= 0
  • Pair this function with comparison guides when another Excel formula might fit the same task better.
  • Review fix-excel-formula-errors when unexpected errors appear after upgrading Excel or sharing across locales.