STDEV.S

The STDEV.S function in Google Sheets is a statistical tool used to estimate the standard deviation for a sample set of data. It measures the amount of variation or dispersion in a dataset. Learn more about its syntax and usage in our comprehensive guide.

Parameters

• value1: The first value or range of values representing the sample data.
• value2, ...: [Optional] Additional values or ranges of values representing the sample data.

Step-by-Step Tutorial

1. Using STDEV.S with individual values:

   • Example: =STDEV.S(1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
   • Result: Returns the standard deviation for the sample set of values.

2. Using STDEV.S with a range of cells:

   • Example: If A1:A5 has the values 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, then =STDEV.S(A1:A5) will calculate the standard deviation for the sample set of values.

Working with a Single Value, a List, and a Range

STDEV.S accepts numbers one at a time, as a comma-separated list, or as a range — mix and match freely, as long as at least two numeric values are supplied.

• Single value: =STDEV.S(A1) — not meaningful on its own; STDEV.S needs at least two data points and returns a #DIV/0! error with just one.
• List of values: =STDEV.S(A1, A2, A3) — treats each cell as one data point in the sample.
• Range: =STDEV.S(A1:A10) — treats every cell in the range as part of the sample.
• Mixed: =STDEV.S(A1, A3:A6, 10) — combine single cells, ranges, and literal numbers into one sample.

Use Cases and Scenarios

1. Data Analysis: Calculate the standard deviation of a dataset to understand the spread of the data points.
2. Quality Control: Measure the consistency and variability of measurements in a manufacturing process.
3. Risk Assessment: Evaluate the variability of investment returns to estimate the level of risk.

Related Functions

• STDEV.P: Calculate the standard deviation for an entire population.

Related Articles

• Understanding Statistical Functions in Google Sheets
• Statistical Distributions and Hypothesis Testing in Google Sheets