How to Use the STDEV Function in Google Sheets

When analyzing data in Google Sheets, understanding how your data values are spread can provide critical insights, particularly for financial, academic, or business-related tasks. The STDEV function in Google Sheets allows you to calculate the standard deviation, a measure of how dispersed your data is around the mean. This function is a cornerstone of statistical functions in Google Sheets, helping you assess variability in datasets, whether for tracking investments or evaluating performance metrics. In this guide, we’ll explore the syntax and demonstrate how to calculate standard deviation, including applying filters for more focused analysis.

Standard Deviation Function in Google Sheets

The STDEV function in Google Sheets calculates the standard deviation of a dataset, which measures how much the values in the dataset deviate from the mean (average). It’s commonly used in statistical analysis to understand data variability.

How It Works

• Input Values: You provide a range or a list of numbers as the input.
• Calculation: The function computes the standard deviation by determining how spread out the values are relative to the mean.
• Output: It returns a single numerical value representing the standard deviation. A higher value indicates greater variability in the data, while a lower value means the data points are closer to the mean.

comparison between STDEV, STDEV.P, and STDEV.S.

Google Sheets STDEV Function Syntax

The formula of Standard Deviation in Google Sheets is given below:

=STDEV(value1, [value2, ...])

• value1: The first value or range of values. This is required.
• [value2, ...]: Additional values or ranges of values to include in the calculation (optional).

How to Calculate Standard Deviation in Google Sheets

To calculate the standard deviation in Google Sheets, follow these simple steps. The STDEV function helps you measure the spread of data, showing how much the values in a dataset vary from the average. This can be useful for tasks like financial data analysis or simply understanding how diverse your data is.

Step 1: Select the Cell for the Result

Click on the cell where you want the standard deviation result to appear, for example, D2.

Step 2: Enter the Formula

Type the formula:

=STDEV(B2:B9)

Here, B2:B9 refers to the range of numbers (or scores) for which you want to calculate the standard deviation.

Step 3: Press Enter

Press Enter, and the standard deviation of the values in the range B2:B9 will be displayed in the selected cell.

How to Calculate Standard Deviation with a Filter in Google Sheets

To calculate standard deviation in Google Sheets based on specific criteria, you can use the STDEV function combined with FILTER. This method allows you to calculate the standard deviation for a filtered set of data. Here's how to do it:

Step 1: Apply a Filter to the Data

• Highlight the data range (A1:C9).
• Click on Data in the menu and select Create a Filter.
• Use the filter dropdown in the Category column to select a specific category, such as "Math".

Step 2: Enter the Formula

In a new cell (e.g., D2), type the formula using the FILTER function to calculate the standard deviation for the filtered data:

=STDEV(FILTER(B2:B9, C2:C9="Math"))

Here, FILTER(B2:B9, C2:C9="Math") filters the range of scores (B2:B9) based on the condition that the category in C2:C9 is "Math".

Step 3: Press Enter

Press Enter, and the cell will display the standard deviation of the scores for the filtered category (e.g., "Math").

By using Google Sheets' statistical functions like STDEV and FILTER, you can perform more advanced data analysis tailored to specific needs.

Also Read:

• How to use the LEN function in Google Sheets
• Google Sheets AVERAGEIFS Function
• Google Sheets AVERAGEIF Function

Conclusion

The STDEV function in Google Sheets is a key tool for measuring data spread and gaining a deeper understanding of variability in your datasets. Whether you’re using it for financial data analysis or broader statistical evaluations, mastering this function will allow you to analyze trends and patterns effectively. With this guide, you can confidently integrate standard deviation calculations into your data workflows for more precise and informed decision-making.