Summary

QUARTILE.INC returns quartile values using the inclusive method. It gives you the usual quartile cutoffs, but it also lets you reach the endpoints of the distribution with quart values 0 and 4.

That makes it a very practical option when you want one function to cover minimum, lower quartile, median, upper quartile, and maximum in the same pattern. It is the quartile version of PERCENTILE.INC.

Syntax

=QUARTILE.INC(array, quart)

array is the dataset, and quart tells Excel which position to return. Use 0 for minimum, 1 for Q1, 2 for median, 3 for Q3, and 4 for maximum.

Arguments

• array - [required] The numeric range or array you want to split into quartiles.
• quart - [required] The quartile position to return. In practice, use 0 through 4.

QUARTILE.INC vs Other Functions

The inclusive version is broader because it supports the endpoints directly. That is why quart value 0 can return the minimum and quart value 4 can return the maximum.

Using the QUARTILE.INC Function

This function works well when you want a simple five-point view of a dataset: min, Q1, median, Q3, and max. That is useful for summaries, distribution checks, and quick benchmarks. It is also easier to explain to someone reading the workbook because the quart values follow a clean 0 to 4 scale.

Microsoft notes that if the array is empty, Excel returns #NUM!. If quart is not an integer, Excel truncates it. If quart<0 or quart>4, Excel returns #NUM!.

• Use quart 0 for the minimum.
• Use quart 2 for the median.
• Use quart 4 for the maximum.

Example 1 - Return the minimum

Quart value 0 gives the lower endpoint of the dataset.

=QUARTILE.INC(B1:B10,0) // Returns the minimum.

Example 2 - Return the maximum

Quart value 4 gives the upper endpoint.

=QUARTILE.INC(B1:B10,4) // Returns the maximum.

Example 3 - Find the first quartile

This marks the lower-quarter cutoff.

=QUARTILE.INC(A1:A10,1) // Returns Q1.

Example 4 - Find the third quartile

This marks where the upper quarter begins.

=QUARTILE.INC(B1:B10,3) // Returns Q3.

Conclusion Recap

• Main job: QUARTILE.INC returns quartile cutoffs using the inclusive method.
• Quart scale: Use values from 0 to 4.
• Endpoint support: 0 returns the minimum and 4 returns the maximum.
• Middle points: Q1, median, and Q3 are returned with 1, 2, and 3.
• Good use cases: Box-style summaries, benchmarks, and quick distribution checks.