I have 5 independent datasets that I am analyzing with descriptive statistics
and Gaussian (normal) distributions to search for outliers. During the
process, I decided to see if there is a way to €œtest€� a sample for
€œnormality€� since Im getting some graphs that do not represent normal
distributions. I want to know why. So, I found the functions KURT and SKEW,
but I need some advice about their significance. I do not understand the
values I am getting from these functions and the help files in Excel 2007 are
not very specific. (I wish they could expand more the description listed
under €œExcel Home Function reference Statistical€�). This is what they say:

// KURT(number1,number2,...) Returns the kurtosis of a data set. Kurtosis
characterizes the relative peakedness or flatness of a distribution compared
with the normal distribution. Positive kurtosis indicates a relatively peaked
distribution. Negative kurtosis indicates a relatively flat distribution.
Number1, number2, ... are 1 to 255 arguments for which you want to
calculate kurtosis. You can also use a single array or a reference to an
array instead of arguments separated by commas. //

// SKEW(number1,number2,...) Returns the skewness of a distribution.
Skewness characterizes the degree of asymmetry of a distribution around its
mean. Positive skewness indicates a distribution with an asymmetric tail
extending toward more positive values. Negative skewness indicates a
distribution with an asymmetric tail extending toward more negative values.
Number1, number2 ... are 1 to 255 arguments for which you want to calculate
skewness. You can also use a single array or a reference to an array instead
of arguments separated by commas. //

For instance:

My datasets range from 75,00 entries to 13,845 entries. I am getting a
Kurtosis = 0.71808 and Skewness = -0.07325 for one dataset, and Kurtosis =
0.59906 and Skewness = 0.91872 for another one, but I dont know what they
mean.
Can anybody help me to discuss/explain/expand these values?