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

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

Description

The Microsoft Excel COVAR function returns the covariance, the average of the products of deviations for two data sets.

The COVAR 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 COVAR function can be entered as part of a formula in a cell of a worksheet.

Syntax

The syntax for the COVAR function in Microsoft Excel is:

COVAR( array1, array2 )

Parameters or Arguments

array1

A range or array of integer values.

array2

A range or array of integer values.

Returns

The COVAR 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 COVAR function examples and explore how to use the COVAR function as a worksheet function in Microsoft Excel:

=COVAR({1,2;3,4}, {5,6;7,8})
Result: 1.25

The above example would return 1.25.

You could also reference ranges in Excel.

Based on the Excel spreadsheet above, you could enter the following formula:

=COVAR(A1:B2, D1:E2)
Result: 1.25

This would also return the value 1.25.