
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 This function is outdated and has been replaced with the COVARIANCE.P and COVARIANCE.S functions.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.
The COVAR function function is one of many functions in the 'Compatibility' category.
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Calculates the inverse of the beta distribution.
Calculates the individual term binomial distribution probability
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Calculates the inverse probability of the chi-squared distribution.
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.
Calculates the covariance meaning the average of the products of deviations for each pair in two different datasets.
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Calculates the standard deviation of a group of values.
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