MS Excel: DVar Function
In Excel, the DVar function returns the variance 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 DVar function is:
DVar( 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 DVar 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:
=DVar(A4:D8, "Unit Cost", A1:B2) would return 2.02005 =DVar(A4:D8, 3, A1:B2) would return 2.02005 =DVar(A4:D8, "Quantity", A1:A2) would return 22.33333333 =DVar(A4:D8, 2, A1:A2) would return 22.33333333
Using Named Ranges
You can also use a named range in the DVar 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:
=DVar(orders, "Total Cost", A1:A2) would return 55.11443333 =DVar(orders, 4, A1:A2) would return 55.11443333
To view named ranges: Under the Insert menu, select Name > Define.
