Purpose
Return value
Syntax
=STDEV(number1,[number2],...)
- number1 - First number or reference in the sample.
- number2 - [optional] Second number or reference.
Using the STDEV function
The STDEV function calculates the standard deviation for a sample set of data. Standard deviation measures how much variance there is in a set of numbers compared to the average (mean) of the numbers. The STDEV function is meant to estimate standard deviation in a sample. If data represents an entire population, use the STDEVP function.
In the example shown, the formula in F7 is:
=STDEV(C5:C11)
Note: Microsoft classifies STDEV as a " compatibility function “, now replaced by the STDEV.S function .
Standard Deviation functions in Excel
The table below summarizes the standard deviation functions provided by Excel.
| Name | Data set | Text and logicals |
|---|---|---|
| STDEV | Sample | Ignored |
| STDEVP | Population | Ignored |
| STDEV.S | Sample | Ignored |
| STDEV.P | Population | Ignored |
| STDEVA | Sample | Evaluated |
| STDEVPA | Population | Evaluated |
Notes:
- STDEV calculates standard deviation using the “n-1” method.
- STDEV assumes data is a sample only. When data represents an entire population, use STDEVP or STDEV.P.
- Numbers are supplied as arguments. They can be supplied as actual numbers, ranges, arrays, or references that contain numbers.
- STDEV ignores text and logical values that occur in references, but evaluates text and logicals hardcoded as function arguments.
- To evaluate logical values and/or text in the calculation, use the STDEVA function .
Purpose
Return value
Syntax
=STDEV.P(number1,[number2],...)
- number1 - First number or reference in the sample.
- number2 - [optional] Second number or reference.
Using the STDEV.P function
The STDEV.P function calculates the standard deviation for a sample set of data. Standard deviation is a measure of how much variance there is in a set of numbers compared to the average (mean) of the numbers. The STDEV.P function is meant to estimate standard deviation for an entire population. If data represents a sample, use the STDEV.S function.
Note: STDEV.P replaces the STDEVP function, with identical behavior. Although STDEVP still exists for backwards compatibility, Microsoft recommends that people use the newer STDEV.P function instead.
Standard Deviation functions in Excel
The table below summarizes the standard deviation functions provided by Excel.
| Name | Data set | Text and logicals |
|---|---|---|
| STDEV | Sample | Ignored |
| STDEVP | Population | Ignored |
| STDEV.S | Sample | Ignored |
| STDEV.P | Population | Ignored |
| STDEVA | Sample | Evaluated |
| STDEVPA | Population | Evaluated |
Notes:
- STDEV.P calculates standard deviation using the “n” method, ignoring logical values and text.
- STDEV.P assumes data is an entire population. When data is a sample only, use the STDEV.S function.
- Numbers are supplied as arguments. They can be supplied as actual numbers, ranges, arrays, or references that contain numbers.
- To evaluate logical values and/or numbers as text in a reference, use the STDEVA function.
