Variance provides a general idea of the spread of data.
Unlike the VAR function, the VARA function evaluates text values and logicals in references.
Text is evaluated as zero, TRUE is evaluated as 1, and FALSE is evaluated as zero.
Variation functions in Excel
The table below summarizes the variation functions available in Excel.
STDEVP has been replaced with a newer function called STDEV.P, which has the same behavior.
STDEV Function
The Excel STDEV function returns the standard deviation for data that represents a sample.
To calculate the standard deviation for an entire population, use STDEVP or STDEV.P.
STDEV.S Function
The Excel STDEV.S function calculates the standard deviation for a sample set of data.
STDEV.S replaces the older STDEV function, with the same behavior.
VAR.P Function
The Excel VAR.P function returns the variance in an entire population.
If data represents a sample of the population, use the VAR.S function.
VAR.S Function
The Excel VAR.S function returns the variance of a sample.
If data represents the entire population, use the VAR.P function.
VAR.S ignores text values and logicals in references.
VAR Function
The Excel VAR function estimates the variance of a sample of data.
If data represents the entire population, use the VARP function or the newer VAR.P function.
VAR ignores text values and logicals in references.
