Purpose
Return value
Syntax
=VARP(number1,[number2],...)- number1 - First number or reference.
- number2 - [optional] Second number or reference.
How to use
The VARP function calculates the variance of an entire population of data. Variance provides a general idea of the spread of data. In the example shown, the formula in F5 is:
=VARP(C5:C10)
VARP ignores text and logicals passed into as cell references. For example, VARP will ignore FALSE when it appears in a range like A1:A10. However, VARP will evaluate logical values, and text representations of numbers hardcoded directly as arguments.
Note: Microsoft classifies VARP as a "compatibility function", now replaced by the VAR.P function.
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
- VARP assumes data is an entire population. If data represents a sample, use VAR or VAR.S
- VARP 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 in references, use the VARA 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.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.
