Author: Oscar CronquistArticle last updated on December 07, 2020
The STDEV function calculates the standard deviation of a group of values. The standard deviation shows how much the values differ from the mean value of the group.
Formula in cell C3:
=STDEV(B3:B14)
Excel Function Syntax
STDEV(number1,[number2],...)
Arguments
number1
Required. This argument can be an array of constants or a cell reference to a group of values.
[number2]
Optional. Up to 254 additional arguments.
How to use the STDEV function
Comments
There are newer better functions that may have improved accuracy, this function is available for compatibility with earlier Excel versions.
What is Standard Deviation?
Standard deviation tells you how far from the average values are spread out. Both charts above have numbers and an average plotted, they share the same average however, the numbers are not the same.
Chart A above shows that the values are more spread out than the values in chart B. Standard deviation is used in statistics.
How is the STDEV function calculated?
The STDEV function is entered in cell D3, here is how the function calculated the output:
The STDEV function estimates an output based on a sample of values, the STEDV.P however, calcualtes the standard deviation based on the entire population of values.
STDEV function formula:
STDEV.P function formula:
These formula differences explain why the functions return different values even if you use the same values.
What is the difference between the standard deviation and variance?
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