How to use the VAR.P Function in Excel

Using the Excel VAR.P Function

Summary

The Excel VAR.P function estimates the variance based on the entire population, ignoring logical and text values.

To find the variance for a sample of the population, use the VAR function or the more recent VAR.S function.

Syntax

=VAR.P (number1, [number2], ...)

Syntax Breakdown

Number 1
Required. The first number that corresponds to a population.

Number 2
Number 2 and subsequent number arguments are optional. The function can accept up to 255 arguments. An array or reference to an array can also be used.

Usage Notes

VAR.P calculate the variance from data that is representative of the entire population. To calculate the variance for a sample of the population, use VAR or VAR.S.

Variance is used to provide a general idea of how far a set of numbers are spread out from the average value. More formally, it is the expectation of the squared deviation of a random variable from its mean.

Logical values and text representations of numbers that are hard-coded into an argument are evaluated. The function ignores logical values, text representation of numbers, error values, and empty cells that are contained in an array or reference.

Use the VARA function to calculate logical values and text representation of numbers.

Excel Variance Functions

Function	Data Set	Text & Logical Values
VAR	Sample	Ignored
VARP	Population	Ignored
VAR.S	Sample	Ignored
VAR.P	Population	Ignored
VARA	Sample	Evaluated
VARPA	Population	Evaluated