Purpose
Return value
Syntax
=VAR.P(number1,[number2],...)- number1 - First number or reference.
- number2 - [optional] Second number or reference.
How to use
The VAR.P function calculates variance for data that represents an entire population. Variance measures how far a data set is spread out, giving you a general idea of the spread of your data. The VAR.P function can accept up to 254 arguments.
Variation functions in Excel
The table below summarizes the variation functions available in Excel.
| Name | Data set | Text and logicals |
|---|---|---|
| VAR | Sample | Ignored |
| VARP | Population | Ignored |
| VAR.S | Sample | Ignored |
| VAR.P | Population | Ignored |
| VARA | Sample | Evaluated |
| VARPA | Population | Evaluated |
Notes
- VAR.P assumes data represents the entire population. If data represents a sample, compute variance with VAR.S.
- VAR.P only evaluates numbers in references, ignoring empty cells, text, and logical values like TRUE or FALSE.
- Arguments can either be numbers or names, arrays, or references that contain numbers.
- Arguments can be hard-coded values instead of references.
- To evaluate logical values and/or text, use the VARPA function.
Related functions
STDEVP Function
The STDEVP function calculates the standard deviation for data that represents a population. 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 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.
VARP Function
The Excel VARP function calculates the variance of an entire population of data. If data represents a sample, use the VAR function or the newer VAR.S function. VARP ignores text values and logicals in references.
