How to use the COVAR function
Author: Oscar Cronquist Article last updated on October 04, 2018
The COVAR function calculates the covariance meaning the average of the products of deviations for each pair in two different datasets. This function is outdated and has been replaced with the COVARIANCE.P and COVARIANCE.S functions.
The covariance is positive if greater values in the first data set correspond to greater values in the second data set. The covariance is negative if greater values in the first data set correspond to smaller values in the second data set.
Formula in cell C18:
=COVAR(C3:C16,D3:D16)
Excel Function Syntax
COVAR(array1, array2)
Arguments
| array1 | Required. The first data set. |
| array2 | Required. The second data set. |
Comments
Text, logical or empty values are ignored, however, 0 (zeros) are included.
The COVAR function returns
- #N/A error value if the number of data points in array1 and array2 is not equal.
- #DIV/0! error value if either array1 or array2 is empty.
The equation for COVAR is:
x ̅ is the sample means AVERAGE(array1) and y ̅ is the sample means AVERAGE(array2).
n is the sample size.
Functions in this article
Functions in 'Compatibility' category
The COVAR function function is one of many functions in the 'Compatibility' category.
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Calculates the test for independence, the value returned from the chi-squared statistical distribution and the correct degrees of freedom. Use this function to check if hypothesized results are valid.
Calculates the confidence interval for a population mean, using a normal distribution.
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Excel function categories
Excel functions that let you resize, combine, and shape arrays.
Functions for backward compatibility with earlier Excel versions. Compatibility functions are replaced with newer functions with improved accuracy. Use the new functions if compatibility isn't required.
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You will find functions in this category that calculates random values, round numerical values, create sequential numbers, trigonometry, and more.
Calculate distributions, binomial distributions, exponential distribution, probabilities, variance, covariance, confidence interval, frequency, geometric mean, standard deviation, average, median, and other statistical metrics.
Functions that let you manipulate text values, substitute strings, find string in value, extract a substring in a string, convert characters to ANSI code among other functions.
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Excel categories
Latest updated articles.
More than 300 Excel functions with detailed information including syntax, arguments, return values, and examples for most of the functions used in Excel formulas.
More than 1300 formulas organized in subcategories.
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Lets you control what a user can type into a cell. It allows you to specifiy conditions and show a custom message if entered data is not valid.
Lets the user work more efficiently by showing a list that the user can select a value from. This lets you control what is shown in the list and is faster than typing into a cell.
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An Excel feature that lets you visualize data in a graph.
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VBA stands for Visual Basic for Applications and is a computer programming language developed by Microsoft, it allows you to automate time-consuming tasks and create custom functions.
A program or subroutine built in VBA that anyone can create. Use the macro-recorder to quickly create your own VBA macros.
UDF stands for User Defined Functions and is custom built functions anyone can create.
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