EXCEL · DATA SKILLS
Calculate standard deviation
Browse Excel lessons
- Excel for basic data analysis
- Cells and ranges
- Columns and readable headings
- Enter and edit cells
- Share files and embed objects
- Fill a series
- Save a practice copy
- Prepare data for analysis
- Dates and number formats
- Variables and score definitions
- Enter and check practice data
- Insert and delete rows
- AutoSum and totals
- Copy formulas with relative references
- Calculate the mean
- Calculate standard deviation
- Excel references and next steps
In B12, enter =STDEV.S(B5:B9), then fill across to D12. The sample standard deviations, rounded to two decimals, are 1.82, 1.30, and 1.67.
STDEV.S estimates sample standard deviation using n − 1. Use STDEV.P only when the data represent the complete population you intend to describe. The older STDEV function remains a compatibility function; STDEV.S states the sample method explicitly.
Use raw observations only, and check the numeric sample count. At least two numeric observations are needed for sample standard deviation. Reporting means and standard deviations is not automatically appropriate for every variable or survey item.
Reference: Microsoft Support. Menu names may vary by platform and update.