Excel VAR.S Function
Summary
The Excel VAR.S function returns the variance of a sample. If data represents the entire population, use the VAR.P function. VAR.S ignores text values and logicals in references.
Purpose
Get variation of a sample
Return value
Computed variance
Syntax
=VAR.S (number1, [number2], ...)
Arguments
- number1 - First number or reference.
- number2 - [optional] Second number or reference.
Usage notes
The VAR.S function calculates the variance of a sample of data. Variance provides a general idea of the spread of data. The VAR.S function can accept up to 254 arguments.
Note while VAR.S ignores text and logicals passed into as cell references, it will evaluate logical values, and text representations of numbers hardcoded directly as arguments. In other words, VAR.S will ignore FALSE when it appears in a range like A1:A10, but will evaluate FALSE when it is provided as an argument.
Variation functions in Excel
The table below summarizes the variation functions available in Excel.
| Name | Data set | Text and logicals |
|---|---|---|
| VAR | Sample | Ignored |
| VARP | Population | Ignored |
| VAR.S | Sample | Ignored |
| VAR.P | Population | Ignored |
| VARA | Sample | Evaluated |
| VARPA | Population | Evaluated |
Notes
- VAR.S assumes arguments a sample of data, not entire population. If data represents the entire population, use VAR.P.
- VAR.S only evaluates numbers in references, ignoring empty cells, text, and logical values like TRUE or FALSE.
- Arguments can either be numbers or names, arrays, or references that contain numbers.
- Arguments can be hard-coded values instead of references.
- To evaluate logical values and/or text in references, use the VARA function.