3/23/2014

How to Calculate Standard Deviation in Excel: 10 Steps

How to Calculate Standard Deviation in Excel

The standard deviation is a figure in statistics that shows how far data deviates from the mean figure. If you want to make a chart of data, you can list your data, make a graph and calculate averages and standard deviation from Microsoft Excel. Find out how to calculate standard deviation in Excel by reading more.
Data Preparation Data Chart Calculate Standard Deviation

Part 1 of 3: Data Preparation

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Gather the reports that list the data you want to use in your Excel spreadsheet.

Keep the data list to a single variable. Standard deviation is generally used on a small sample of data that needs to be graphed or an entire population. Excel has different formulas for figuring out the standard deviation of an entire population and the standard deviation of the sample of a population. Keep this in mind when you choose your formula later on.

Part 2 of 3: Data Chart

Open your Microsoft Excel program. The locations and functions of the Excel program can differ greatly depending upon the version you use. If you cannot find a button on the formatting bar, look in the top horizontal toolbar.

Make a chart of your data. In most cases, you will start in box A1. Enter headings at the top of the columns. Enter the name or date that identifies each occurrence on the left of each row. Enter the corresponding data on the right.

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How to Calculate Standard Deviation in Excel: 10 Steps

Save your Excel document to avoid losing data.

Part 3 of 3: Calculate Standard Deviation

Place your cursor in the box below the last number. You can also place the standard deviation number in any other empty cell in the Excel spreadsheet. Excel may automatically figure out your data range if you put it underneath a list of numbers.

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Enter an equals sign. Remember that the formula should be entered without spaces.

Type in "STDEV." This is the Excel syntax for standard deviation. When you use this abbreviation for a data range, Excel will figure out mean and standard deviation Excel formulas differ depending upon the version of Excel you are using. Although STDEV is fairly standard, you may need to use STDEVA or STDEVAP in its place. Choose either STDEV.P or STDEV.S to signify whether you are using an entire population or a sample population.

automatically.

Insert your data range next. A data range is a series of numbers in a certain column or row. In Excel, data ranges are listed in the following manner: (C2:C15). Your entire formula would be "=STDEV(C2:C15)."

Press "Enter." Your standard deviation for your sample should appear in the box. You can also use the Excel formula wizard to choose the standard deviation formula. Click on "Insert" in the Formula bar. Then, select "Statistical" and select "STDEV." Type in your data range in the box that pops up. Press "Ok" or "Enter" to complete your formula.

Add your own method

Name your method

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How to Calculate Standard Deviation in Excel: 10 Steps

Add your steps using an ordered list. For example: 1. Step one 2. Step two 3. Step three

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Things You'll Need

Microsoft Excel Data with a single variable Chart Standard Deviation formula Data range

Sources and Citations

http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/excel-help/stdev-HP005209277.aspx http://www.gifted.uconn.edu/siegle/research/normal/stdexcel.htm http://libweb.surrey.ac.uk/library/skills/Number%20Skills%20Leicester/pa ge_20.htm

Article Info

Categories: Microsoft Excel Recent edits by: Maluniu In other languages: Espaol: Cmo calcular la desviacin estndar en Excel, Italiano: Come Calcolare la Deviazione Standard con Excel, Portugus: Como Calcular o Desvio Padro no Excel, Deutsch: Die Standardabweichung mit Excel berechnen, : Excel , : Excell

Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 18,588 times.

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