How to use the STDEV (standard deviation) function in Excel

By | January 10, 2022

How to use the STDEV (standard deviation) function in Excel – Microsoft Excel is a considerably useful tool that has different features such as calculation, charts, pivot tables, and the macro programming language known as Visual Basic for Applications (VBA). 

It is also possible to perform calculations quickly using formulas; a formula is an equation that does a calculation. Excel allows us to use the STDEV function , which calculates the standard deviation, which is a measure of the amount of variation or dispersion in a set of values.

The syntax of the STDEV function would be this:

  • Number 1: the first numerical argument that corresponds to a sample of a population. It is required.
  • Number 2: this is the second numerical argument that corresponds to a sample of a population. It’s optional.

Excel has a large number of very attractive, useful and necessary functions. At Islabit we strive to bring you the best guides so that you can easily and practically become an expert in the use of this complex program. We have even told you how to manage conditional formatting rules , which are extremely useful on many occasions; especially if we know how to apply them correctly.

Want more free Excel guides ? We recommend using the search engine at the top of Islabit and you will find a large number of simple and direct tutorials to learn step by step.

How to use the STDEV standard deviation function in Microsoft Excel

Obviously, the first thing we will do is start Microsoft Excel, create a new table or use one that we already have in a file.

We will write the formula in the cell where we want to place the result: = STDEV (B2: B6) and then press Enter to be able to visualize the result in question.

You have to change the formula is “B2” and B6 “for the corresponding table and cell in your file.

Read Also: How to overlay charts in Microsoft Excel

When should we use STDEV?

The STDEV function is used when the data represents an entire population, we use it when our data is a sample of the entire population.

We hope this simple guide on how to use the STDEV function in Microsoft Excel was helpful. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to leave us a comment, you will find the comment box a little further down; We will be happy to help you solve any problem you may have.