Excel - STDEV.P Function



STDEV.P Function

The Excel STDEV.P function calculates standard deviation based on the entire population and the P stands for Population. It facilitates users how the data values in the given dataset vary from the mean. This function performs adequately for the Date/Time and Numeric data set but excludes Boolean values and text values when computing the STDEV.P function. It was first introduced in Excel 2010 version and is not included in the earlier versions.

Compatibility

This advanced Excel function is compatible with the following versions of MS Excel −

  • Excel for Microsoft 365
  • Excel for Microsoft 365 for Mac
  • Excel for the web
  • Excel 2024
  • Excel 2024 for Mac
  • Excel 2021
  • Excel 2021 for Mac
  • Excel 2019
  • Excel 2016
  • Excel 2013
  • Excel 2010

Syntax

The syntax of the STDEV.P function is as follows −

=STDEV.P(number1, [number2]...)

Arguments

You can use the following arguments with the STDEV.P function −

Argument Description Required/ Optional
Number1 The first number argument with respective to a population. Required
Number2 ...

It may contain arguments 2 to 254 for a population.

It indicates a single array or cell reference that points to a number.

Optional

Points to Remember

  • The mathematical notation of the STDEV.P −

∑(x-x¯)2n------√∑(x-x¯)2n

Where x denotes the sample mean AVERAGE (number1, number2…) and n denotes the sample size.

  • Use the STDEV.S function to calculate the standard deviation depending upon a sample.
  • Boolean values(True/False) and text values are ignored in the array when computing the function.
  • If only text values are specified in the arguments, then the STDEV.P function retrieves the #VALUE! error.
  • If the argument contains the error value, then the STDEV.P function returns the same error.

Examples of STDEV.P Function

Practice the following examples to get the master proficiency of the STDEV.P function in Excel.

Example 1: How to use the STDEV.P Function in Excel?

In this example, the basic concept of the STDEV.P function is depicted by supplying the reference of cells that refers to the numeric value in the argument.

Solution

Step 1 − First, assume the sample dataset, where the numeric values are written in the cell range B2:B21. You may enter the formula =STDEV.P(B2:B11) in the C2 cell.

STDEV.P Function1

Therefore, the standard deviation is 24.79407.

STDEV.P Function2

Example 2: Incident Management Analysis

The IT engineer tracks the incident resolution times that frequently occur.  We will apply the STDEV.P function to verify that there is high or low variability in the resolution times.

Solution

Step 1 − Consider the sample dataset that contains the mixed set of the data including numeric as well as text and Boolean values. You can write the formula =STDEV.P(B2:C9) in the C10 cell. Here, the True, False, and text values are skipped during the calculations.

STDEV.P Function3

Therefore, the STDEV.P function returns the 11.38 value specifying the low standard deviation which indicates less variability in the resolution times.

STDEV.P Function4

Example 3

If only text values are specified in the arguments, then the STDEV.P function retrieves the #VALUE! error.

Solution

First, navigate to the example3 worksheet and enter the formula =STDEV.P("view","review","draw") in the B2 cell. In this expression, the arguments contain the text values.

STDEV.P Function5

Therefore, the #VALUE! error is retrieved by the STDEV.P function.

STDEV.P Function6

Download Practice Sheet

You can download and use the sample data sheet to practice the STDEV.P function.

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