Purpose
Return value
Syntax
=DVAR(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 DVAR function gets the variance of a sample extracted from records matching criteria, using values in a given field.
The database argument is a range of cells that includes field headers, field is the name or index of the field to get a max value from, and criteria is a range of cells with headers that match those in database.
Using the example above, you can get the variance of heights for the group "Fox" with either of these formulas:
=DVAR(B7:C13,"Height",B4:C5) // field by name
=DVAR(B7:C13,2,B4:C5) // field by index
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 DVAR 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:
- DVAR is the mean to calculate variance for a sample. If data represents the entire population, use the DVARP function.
- DVAR supports some 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 the given criteria. If data represents a sample only, use the DVAR function....
