How to Use the DVAR Function in Excel

Today, we will explore a very useful statistical function available in both Microsoft Excel and Google Sheets – DVAR. DVAR, which stands for Database Variance, calculates the variance of a population based on a specified sample from a database.

Basic Syntax

The DVAR function is structured as follows:

=DVAR(database, field, criteria)

• database: The range of cells that comprises the database.
• field: The column in the database that contains the values for which the variance is to be calculated.
• criteria: The range of cells that specifies the conditions to define the sample.

Example Scenario

Consider a database containing student test scores. Suppose we want to calculate the variance in test scores for students who are in Grade A.

Example in Excel

Assume the database is located in cells A1:C10 with columns A and B containing student names and grades, respectively, and column C containing test scores. The formula would be formatted as follows:

=DVAR(A1:C10, "Test Scores", A1:B10)

Example in Google Sheets

The formula for Google Sheets is identical. With the same database arrangement in cells A1:C10, the formula is:

=DVAR(A1:C10, "Test Scores", A1:B10)

This function will return the variance of the test scores for students identified as being in Grade A.

Conclusion

The DVAR function is a powerful tool for calculating the variance in a population based on specific criteria. By inputting the appropriate database, field, and criteria, you can efficiently extract meaningful statistical insights from your data.

More information: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/dvar-function-d6747ca9-99c7-48bb-996e-9d7af00f3ed1