STDEVP
Calculates the standard deviation of an entire population. Use STDEVP when your data represents the complete dataset, not just a sample. For samples, use STDEV instead.
STDEVP(number1, [number2], ...)Arguments
number1The first number or cell range in the population.number2Additional numbers or ranges. Up to 255 arguments total.(optional)
=STDEVP(A1:A10)Calculates the population standard deviation for the 10 values in A1:A10
=STDEVP(2,4,4,4,5,5,7,9)Classic example: population std dev of these 8 values is exactly 2
=STDEVP(A1:A100)Standard deviation of a full dataset in column A
- •Use STDEVP when you have data for the entire population, not a sample
- •Use STDEV (sample std dev) when your data is only a subset of the population
- •STDEVP uses the N denominator; STDEV uses N-1 (Bessel's correction)
- •In newer Excel versions, STDEV.P is the updated equivalent of STDEVP
- •Using STDEVP (population standard deviation) when the data is actually just a sample of a larger population - this uses the wrong divisor (n instead of n-1) and slightly understates the true spread of the full population
- •Confusing STDEVP with STDEV - STDEVP assumes your data is the entire population, while STDEV assumes it's a sample, and the two give noticeably different results, especially for small datasets
- •Using the legacy STDEVP function without realizing STDEV.P is the modern, functionally identical equivalent
STDEVCalculates sample standard deviation using n-1 as the divisor, appropriate when your data is a subset rather than the entire population.VARPCalculates population variance, the squared value that STDEVP takes the square root of.STDEV.PThe modern replacement for STDEVP, functionally identical with a clearer, more consistent naming convention.Should I use STDEVP or STDEV?
Use STDEVP only when your data genuinely represents an entire population, not a sample - this is less common than you might think. For most real-world analysis involving a subset of data, STDEV is the correct choice.
What's the difference between STDEVP and STDEV.P?
They're functionally identical - STDEV.P is the modern equivalent with a naming convention consistent with other newer statistical functions. STDEVP is kept mainly for compatibility with older files.
Why does STDEVP give a smaller result than STDEV for the same data?
STDEVP divides by n while STDEV divides by n-1, so STDEVP always returns a value less than or equal to STDEV for identical data - the difference shrinks as the dataset grows larger.
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