totn Excel Functions

MS Excel: How to use the VAR Function (WS)

This Excel tutorial explains how to use the Excel VAR function with syntax and examples.

Description

The Microsoft Excel VAR function returns the variance of a population based on a sample of numbers.

The VAR function is a built-in function in Excel that is categorized as a Statistical Function. It can be used as a worksheet function (WS) in Excel. As a worksheet function, the VAR function can be entered as part of a formula in a cell of a worksheet.

Syntax

The syntax for the VAR function in Microsoft Excel is:

VAR( number1, [number2, ... number_n] )

Parameters or Arguments

number1
The first sample number used in the calculation.
number2, ... number_n
Optional. Additional sample numbers used in the calculation. There can be up to 30 numbers entered.

Returns

The VAR function returns a numeric value.

Applies To

  • Excel for Office 365, Excel 2019, Excel 2016, Excel 2013, Excel 2011 for Mac, Excel 2010, Excel 2007, Excel 2003, Excel XP, Excel 2000

Type of Function

  • Worksheet function (WS)

Example (as Worksheet Function)

Let's look at some Excel VAR function examples and explore how to use the VAR function as a worksheet function in Microsoft Excel:

Microsoft Excel

Based on the Excel spreadsheet above, the following VAR examples would return:

=VAR(C2, C3, C4, C5)
Result: 3.6178

=VAR(D2, D3, D4)
Result: 91.79203333

=VAR(34.5, 2, 8.9, -4)
Result: 286.99