The `STDEV.S` function in Excel is used to calculate the standard deviation of a sample. This is helpful when you want to understand how much the values in a dataset deviate from the average value (mean) of that dataset. Here’s how you can use the `STDEV.S` function:
Syntax
STDEV.S(number1, [number2], ...)
- number1: This is the first number or cell reference in your sample data.
- [number2], …: These are additional numbers or cell references. You can input up to 254 numbers or references in Excel 2007 and later versions.
Steps to Use `STDEV.S`
- Select the Cell: Click on the cell where you want the result of the standard deviation to appear.
- Enter the Function: Type `=STDEV.S(` into the cell or the formula bar.
- Input Arguments:
- You can directly type numbers separated by commas, e.g., `=STDEV.S(4, 8, 15, 16, 23, 42)`.
- Alternatively, you can specify a range of cells that contain your data, e.g., `=STDEV.S(A1:A10)`.
- Close Parenthesis and Press Enter: After entering the parameters, finish with a closing parenthesis `)`, and press `Enter`. Excel will compute the standard deviation for the sample data provided.
Examples
=STDEV.S(A1:A10)
=STDEV.S(2, 4, 6, 8, 10)
- Using Cell Range: If your data is in cells A1 through A10, you can use:
- Using Specific Numbers: If you want to calculate the standard deviation for specific values, you can input them directly:
Notes
- Sample vs. Population: Use `STDEV.S` when you are working with a sample and `STDEV.P` when you have data that represents the entire population.
- Ignoring Text and Logical Values: The function ignores text and logical values. If you have non-numeric data in your range and want to include logical values, you’ll need to do preprocessing or use `ARRAYFORMULA` techniques.
- Use in Data Analysis: Standard deviation is essential for statistical analysis, helping you understand variability and consistency within your dataset.
By following these steps, you can easily compute the standard deviation of a sample using Excel’s `STDEV.S` function.
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