How to use the DSTDEV function
Author: Oscar Cronquist Article last updated on May 05, 2022
The DSTDEV function calculates an estimation of the standard deviation based on a sample of a population. The function also allows you to specify criteria applied to a population/database.
The standard deviation is a number describing how widely numbers are distributed around the average value.
Formula in cell B15:
=DSTDEV(B5:D12,3,B2:C3)
Excel Function Syntax
DSTDEV(database, field, criteria)
Arguments
| database | Required. The cell reference to a list or database. |
| field | Required. The field argument lets you choose which column to use. You can use the column name enclosed with double quotation marks or the corresponding column number. |
| criteria | Required. A cell reference to the criteria range. The criteria range needs to have column labels and at least one condition below the column label. |
Comments
Excel defines a database as a list of related data in which rows of related information are records, and columns of data are fields. The first row of the list contains labels for each column.
Allowed criteria range characters are less than and greater than signs <>, use them to specify a criteria range. Also, asterisks * can be used to match partial strings.
You can place your criteria range wherever you want on your worksheet, however, it is not recommended below the list/database. The function needs a blank row below the list to work properly.
Functions in this article
Functions in 'Database' category
The DSTDEV function function is one of many functions in the 'Database' category.
Calculates an average based on values in a list or database that meet specific conditions.
Counts cells containing numbers and that meet a condition or criteria.
Counts nonempty cells in a column you specify, in a database where records also meet a condition or criteria.
Fetches a value from a column in a database whose records meet a condition or criteria.
Extracts the maximum number from a column in a database whose records match a condition or criteria.
Extracts the smallest number from a column in a database whose records match a condition or criteria.
Multiplies numbers that match a condition or criteria in a database.
Calculates an estimation of the standard deviation based on a sample of a population. The function also allows you to specify criteria applied to a database.
Calculates the standard deviation based on a population. The function also allows you to specify criteria applied to a database.
Adds numbers in a database/list that meets a condition or criteria.
Returns the variance of an entire population. The numbers are in a column of records in a dataset or database that meets a given condition or criteria.
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.
Perform basic operations to a database-like structure.
Functions that let you perform calculations to Excel date and time values.
Let's you manipulate binary numbers, convert values between different numeral systems, and calculate imaginary numbers.
Calculate present value, interest, accumulated interest, principal, accumulated principal, depreciation, payment, price, growth, yield for securities, and other financial calculations.
Functions that let you get information from a cell, formatting, formula, worksheet, workbook, filepath, and other entitites.
Functions that let you return and manipulate logical values, and also control formula calculations based on logical expressions.
These functions let you sort, lookup, get external data like stock quotes, filter values based a condition or criteria, and get the relative position of a given value in a specific cell range. They also let you calculate row, column, and other properties of cell references.
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.
Get data from the internet, extract data from an XML string and more.
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.
Excel Tables simplifies your work with data, adding or removing data, filtering, totals, sorting, enhance readability using cell formatting, cell references, formulas, and more.
Allows you to filter data based on selected value , a given text, or other criteria. It also lets you filter existing data or move filtered values to a new location.
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.
Lets you name one or more cells, this makes it easier to find cells using the Name box, read and understand formulas containing names instead of cell references.
The Excel Solver is a free add-in that uses objective cells, constraints based on formulas on a worksheet to perform what-if analysis and other decision problems like permutations and combinations.
An Excel feature that lets you visualize data in a graph.
Format cells or cell values based a condition or criteria, there a multiple built-in Conditional Formatting tools you can use or use a custom-made conditional formatting formula.
Lets you quickly summarize vast amounts of data in a very user-friendly way. This powerful Excel feature lets you then analyze, organize and categorize important data efficiently.
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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