How to Calculate Standard Deviation in Excel_ 10 Steps

3/23/2014 How to Calculate Standard Deviation in Excel: 10 Steps

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How to Calculate Standard Deviation inExcelThe 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 PreparationData ChartCalculate Standard Deviation

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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.

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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.

Part 2 of 3: Data Chart

Part 1 of 3: Data Preparation



3 Save your Excel document to avoid losing data.

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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.

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

automatically.

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.

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 methodName your method

Part 3 of 3: Calculate Standard Deviation



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Add your steps using an ordered list. For example:1. Step one2. Step two3. Step three

Microsoft Excel

Data with a single variable

Chart

Standard Deviation formula

Data range

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

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Categories: Microsoft Excel

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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

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