Purpose
Return value
Syntax
=VAR.S(number1,[number2],...)
- number1 - First number or reference.
- number2 - [optional] Second number or reference.
Using the VAR.S function
The VAR.S function calculates the variance of a sample of data. Variance provides a general idea of the spread of data. The VAR.S function can accept up to 254 arguments.
Note while VAR.S ignores text and logicals passed into as cell references, it will evaluate logical values, and text representations of numbers hardcoded directly as arguments. In other words, VAR.S will ignore FALSE when it appears in a range like A1:A10, but will evaluate FALSE when it is provided as an argument.
Variation functions in Excel
The table below summarizes the variation functions available in Excel.
| Name | Data set | Text and logicals |
|---|---|---|
| VAR | Sample | Ignored |
| VARP | Population | Ignored |
| VAR.S | Sample | Ignored |
| VAR.P | Population | Ignored |
| VARA | Sample | Evaluated |
| VARPA | Population | Evaluated |
Notes
- VAR.S assumes arguments a sample of data, not entire population. If data represents the entire population, use VAR.P.
- VAR.S only evaluates numbers in references, ignoring empty cells, text, and logical values like TRUE or FALSE.
- Arguments can either be numbers or names, arrays, or references that contain numbers.
- Arguments can be hard-coded values instead of references.
- To evaluate logical values and/or text in references, use the VARA function.
Purpose
Return value
Syntax
=VARA(number1,[number2],...)
- number1 - First number or reference.
- number2 - [optional] Second number or reference.
Using the VARA function
The VAR function estimates the variance for a sample of data. Variance provides a general idea of the spread of data. Unlike the VAR function, the VARA function evaluates text values and logicals in references. Text is evaluated as zero, TRUE is evaluated as 1, and FALSE is evaluated as zero.
In the example shown, the formula in F5 is:
=VARA(C5:C10)
Note that the VAR function ignores the “NA” text in C8, while VARA includes this in the variance estimate as zero.
Like VAR , VARA also evaluates logical values, and text representations of numbers when they are hardcoded directly into the function as arguments.
Variation functions in Excel
The table below summarizes the variation functions available in Excel.
| Name | Data set | Text and logicals |
|---|---|---|
| VAR | Sample | Ignored |
| VARP | Population | Ignored |
| VAR.S | Sample | Ignored |
| VAR.P | Population | Ignored |
| VARA | Sample | Evaluated |
| VARPA | Population | Evaluated |
Notes
- VARA assumes arguments a sample of data, not entire population. If data represents the entire population, use VARPA or VAR.P
- VARA evaluates text values and logicals in references, unlike VAR.
- Arguments can either be numbers or names, arrays, or references that contain numbers.
- Arguments can be hard-coded values instead of references.
- To ignore logical values and/or text in references, use VAR or VAR.S.
