> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.fabricplan.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.fabricplan.com/planning-sheets/reference/formula-syntax/statistical-functions/calculate-variance-and-standard-deviation.md).

# Calculate variance and standard deviation

Plan provides functions to calculate variance and standard deviation in a dataset. Use the functions in this section to measure how widely values are spread around the mean, making it easier to analyze data variability and distribution.

### STDEVP

The *STDEVP* function returns the population standard deviation of a set of numbers. It measures how widely values are dispersed from the mean when the data represents the entire population. The calculation uses *n* in the denominator.

#### Syntax

```
STDEVP(number1, [number2], ...)
```

#### Arguments

* `number1`, `number2`, ...: The numbers or range of values used to calculate the population standard deviation.

#### Return value

Returns the population standard deviation of the specified set of numbers.

#### Example

```
STDEVP(10, 20, 30, 40, 50)
```

Returns the population standard deviation of the specified set of numbers. In this example, the function returns `14.14`.

You can use the *STDEVP* function to analyze how widely values are spread from the mean for metrics such as sales, revenue, or performance scores.<br>

<figure><img src="https://257222532-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FUtolck8kt8atqxFPsEBn%2Fuploads%2Fyau6lwZ2D4vH9De64Uql%2Fimage.png?alt=media&amp;token=c6cfb8bc-ed97-4d19-b838-52bb572cbe44" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

{% hint style="info" %}

#### Note

Use the [*STDEVS*](#stdevs) function when working with sample data, as it calculates the sample standard deviation using *(n − 1)* in the denominator. Use the *STDEVP* function when working with the entire population, as it calculates the population standard deviation using *n* in the denominator.
{% endhint %}

#### Excel equivalent

[STDEV.P](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/stdevp-function-1f7c1c88-1bec-4422-8242-e9f7dc8bb195)

### STDEVS

The *STDEVS* function returns the sample standard deviation of a set of numbers. It measures how widely values are dispersed from the mean when the data represents a sample of a larger population. The calculation uses *(n − 1)* in the denominator to provide an unbiased estimate.

#### Syntax

```
STDEVS(number1, [number2], ...)
```

#### Arguments

* `number1`, `number2`, ...: The numbers or range of values used to calculate the sample standard deviation.

#### Return value

Returns the sample standard deviation of the specified set of numbers.

#### Example

```
STDEVS(10, 20, 30, 40, 50)
```

Returns the sample standard deviation of the specified set of numbers. In this example, the function returns `15.81`.

You can use the *STDEVS* function to analyze how widely values are spread from the mean for metrics such as sales, revenue, or performance scores.

<figure><img src="https://257222532-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FUtolck8kt8atqxFPsEBn%2Fuploads%2FKLKjhnABPXF3cxUSWH7L%2Fimage.png?alt=media&amp;token=f3dbec3c-bd28-4fb7-9c63-fe472f3dcbad" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

#### Excel equivalent

[STDEV.S](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/stdev-s-function-7d69cf97-0c1f-4acf-be27-f3e83904cc23)

### VARP

The *VARP* function returns the population variance of a set of numbers. It measures how widely values are spread from the mean when the data represents the entire population. The calculation uses *n* in the denominator.

#### Syntax

```
VARP(number1, [number2], ...)
```

#### Arguments

* `number1`, `number2`, ...: The numbers or range of values used to calculate the population variance.

#### Return value

Returns the population variance of the specified set of numbers.

#### Examples

```
VARP(10, 20, 30)
```

Returns the population variance of the specified set of numbers. In this example, the function returns `66.67`.

```
VARP(10, 20, 30, 40, 50)
```

Returns the population variance of the specified set of numbers. In this example, the function returns `200`.

You can use the *VARP* function to analyze how widely values are spread from the mean for metrics such as sales, revenue, or performance scores.

<figure><img src="https://257222532-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FUtolck8kt8atqxFPsEBn%2Fuploads%2FHEci780a9gnWekicu3Op%2Fimage.png?alt=media&amp;token=b0fce0f6-77ea-44a3-ba8d-6e8f3935067a" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

{% hint style="info" %}

#### Note

Use the [*VARS*](#vars) function when working with sample data, as it calculates the sample variance using *(n − 1)* in the denominator. Use the *VARP* function when working with the entire population, as it calculates the population variance using *n* in the denominator.
{% endhint %}

#### Excel equivalent

[VAR.P](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/varp-function-26a541c4-ecee-464d-a731-bd4c575b1a6b)

### VARS

The *VARS* function returns the sample variance of a set of numbers. It measures how widely values are spread from the mean when the data represents a sample of a larger population. The calculation uses *(n − 1)* in the denominator to provide an unbiased estimate.

#### Syntax

```
VARS(number1, [number2], ...)
```

#### Arguments

* `number1`, `number2`, ...: The numbers or range of values used to calculate the sample variance.

#### Return value

Returns the sample variance of the specified set of numbers.

#### Examples

```
VARS(10, 20, 30)
```

Returns the sample variance of the specified set of numbers. In this example, the function returns `100`.

```
VARS(10, 20, 30, 40, 50)
```

Returns the sample variance of the specified set of numbers. In this example, the function returns `250`.

You can use the *VARS* function to analyze how widely values are spread from the mean for metrics such as sales, revenue, or performance scores.

<figure><img src="https://257222532-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FUtolck8kt8atqxFPsEBn%2Fuploads%2FG0GLWgGAZMQ0TV0AljrD%2Fimage.png?alt=media&amp;token=26a28f86-87a5-41cc-9243-0fbe96b880dc" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

#### Excel equivalent

[VAR.S](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/var-s-function-913633de-136b-449d-813e-65a00b2b990b)


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