MS Excel: DVarP Function
In Excel, the DVarP function returns the variance of a population based on the entire population of numbers in a column in a list or database, based on a given criteria.
The syntax for the DVarP function is:
DVarP( 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 DVarP 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:
=DVarP(A4:D8, "Unit Cost", A1:B2) would return 1.010025 =DVarP(A4:D8, 3, A1:B2) would return 1.010025 =DVarP(A4:D8, "Quantity", A1:A2) would return 14.88888889 =DVarP(A4:D8, 2, A1:A2) would return 14.88888889
Using Named Ranges
You can also use a named range in the DVarP 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:
=DVarP(orders, "Total Cost", A1:A2) would return 36.74295556 =DVarP(orders, 4, A1:A2) would return 36.74295556
To view named ranges: Under the Insert menu, select Name > Define.
