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CHITEST Function
Summary
The CHITEST function performs a chi-squared test for independence, comparing observed frequencies against expected values in contingency tables to determine if variables are independent.
Syntax
CHITEST(actual_range, expected_range)Parameters
| Parameter | Type | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| actual_range | Range |
Yes | The range of data that contains observations to test against expected values |
| expected_range | Range |
Yes | The range of data that contains the ratio of the product of row totals and column totals to the grand total |
Using the CHITEST Function
CHITEST calculates the chi-squared test statistic and returns the right-tailed probability from the chi-squared distribution. A low p-value (typically < 0.05) suggests rejecting the null hypothesis of independence between variables.
Common CHITEST Examples
Gender Opinion Survey Analysis
=CHITEST(A2:B4,A6:B8)Tests if gender and opinion on a topic are independent. Observed: Men(58,11,10), Women(35,25,23). Expected calculated from margins. Returns p-value 0.0003082 indicating dependence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common Errors and Solutions
#N/A error
Cause: actual_range and expected_range have different number of data points
Solution: Ensure both ranges contain the same number of cells
#N/A error
Cause: Both ranges are 1x1 (r=1, c=1)
Solution: Chi-squared test requires at least 1x2 or 2x1 table
Notes
- This function is deprecated - use CHISQ.TEST for improved accuracy
- Recommended: each expected frequency ≥ 5
- Degrees of freedom = (rows-1)×(columns-1)
- Chi-squared statistic always ≥ 0
Compatibility
Available in: Excel for Microsoft 365, Excel 2021, Excel 2019, Excel 2016, Excel 2013, Excel 2010, Excel 2007
Not available in: Excel 2003 and earlier
Content last reviewed: December 8, 2025
Update frequency: As needed
Excel versions tested: Excel for Microsoft 365, Excel for Microsoft 365 for Mac, Excel for the web, Excel 2024, Excel 2024 for Mac, Excel 2021, Excel 2021 for Mac, Excel 2019, Excel 2016