STDEV Function in Excel
Intermediate
Calculates standard deviation based on a sample of a population.
Syntax
=STDEV.S(number1, [number2], ...)Example
Use Case
Measure variability in test scores to understand consistency.
Common Errors to Avoid
- STDEV.S is for samples, STDEV.P is for entire population
- Empty cells and text are ignored, zeros are included
- Need at least 2 data points or returns #DIV/0!
Pro Tips
Use STDEV.S when analyzing a sample (most common). Use STDEV.P only when you have the entire population. Higher standard deviation means more variation. Combine with AVERAGE to calculate coefficient of variation.
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