Purpose
Return value
Syntax
=DSTDEV(database,field,criteria)- database - Database range including headers.
- field - Field name or index to count.
- criteria - Criteria range including headers.
How to use
The Excel DSTDEV function gets the standard deviation of sample data extracted from records matching criteria. Essentially, this function calculates standard deviation on a subset of data, like a "standard deviation IF" formula.
The database argument is a range of cells that includes field headers, field is the name or index of the field to query, and criteria is a range of cells with headers that match those in database.
Using the example above, you can get the standard deviation of heights for the group "Fox" with either of these formulas:
=DSTDEV(B7:C13,"Height",B4:C5) // field by name
=DSTDEV(B7:C13,2,B4:C5) // field by index
The standard deviation for all heights in C8:C13 is calculated in F5 with the STDEV.S function:
=STDEV.S(C8:C13)
Criteria options
The criteria can include a variety of expressions, including some wildcards. The table below shows some examples:
| Criteria | Behavior |
|---|---|
| Red | Match "red" or "RED" |
| Re* | Begins with "re" |
| 10 | Equal to 10 |
| >10 | Greater than 10 |
| <> | Not blank |
| <>100 | Not 100 |
| >12/19/2017 | Greater than Dec 19, 2017 |
Note: Support for wildcards is not quite the same as with other functions like COUNTIFS, SUMIFS, MATCH, etc. For example, the pattern ??? will match strings with 3 exactly characters in more modern functions, but not in the database functions. If you are using wildcards, test carefully.
Multi-row criteria
The criteria range for DSTDEV can include more than one row below the headers. When criteria includes more than one row, each row is joined with OR logic, and the expressions in a given criteria row are joined with AND logic.
Notes:
- DSTDEV is the mean to calculate variance for a sample. If data represents the entire population, use the DSTDEVP function.
- DSTDEV supports wildcards in criteria.
- Criteria can include more than one row (as explained above).
- The field argument can be supplied as a name in double quotes ("") or as a number representing field index.
- The database and criteria ranges must include matching headers.
Related functions
DCOUNT Function
The Excel DCOUNT function counts matching records in a database using criteria and an optional field. When a field is provided DCOUNT will only count numeric values in the field. Use DCOUNTA to count numbers or text values in a given field.
DCOUNTA Function
The Excel DCOUNTA function counts matching records in a database using criteria and an optional field. When a field is provided, DCOUNTA counts both numeric and text values when the field value is not empty. Use DCOUNT to count only numeric values in a ...
DMAX Function
The Excel DMAX function returns the maximum value in a field, from a set of records that match criteria. Use the DMIN function to get the minimum value.
DVARP Function
The Excel DVARP function returns the variance of an entire population extracted from records that match given criteria. If data represents the a sample only, use the DVAR function.
DVAR Function
The Excel DVAR function returns the variance of a sample extracted from records that match the given criteria. If data represents the entire population, use the DVARP function.
DSTDEVP Function
The Excel DSTDEVP function returns the standard deviation for an entire population of data extracted from records that match the given criteria. If data represents the entire population, use the DSTDEVP function.
