MS Excel: DStDev Function
In Excel, the DStDev function returns the standard deviation of a population based on a sample of numbers in a column in a list or database, based on a given criteria.
The syntax for the DStDev function is:
DStDev( database, field, criteria )
database is the range of cells that you want to apply the criteria against.
field is the column to be used by the DStDev function. You can either specify the numerical position of the column in the list or the column label in double quotation marks.
criteria is the range of cells that contains your criteria.
Applies To:
- Excel 2007, Excel 2003, Excel XP, Excel 2000
For Example:
Let's take a look at an example:
Based on the Excel spreadsheet above:
=DStDev(A4:D8, "Unit Cost", A1:B2) would return 1.42128463 =DStDev(A4:D8, 3, A1:B2) would return 1.42128463 =DStDev(A4:D8, "Quantity", A1:A2) would return 4.725815626 =DStDev(A4:D8, 2, A1:A2) would return 4.725815626
Using Named Ranges
You can also use a named range in the DStDev function. For example, we've created a named range called orders that refers to Sheet1!$A$4:$D$8.
Then we've entered the following data in Excel:
Based on the Excel spreadsheet above:
=DStDev(orders, "Total Cost", A1:A2) would return 7.423909572 =DStDev(orders, 4, A1:A2) would return 7.423909572
To view named ranges: Under the Insert menu, select Name > Define.
