The VARP function in Google Sheets is a statistical tool used to determine the variance of a dataset that represents an entire population. Unlike sample variance, which estimates variability from a sample, VARP calculates the exact variance based solely on complete data, providing a precise measure of how much the values in the dataset differ from the mean. This function is particularly useful in fields where the entire population data is available, such as quality control and comprehensive data analysis.

Syntax

VARP(value1, [value2, ...])

• value1: The first number or range of data to consider in the variance calculation.
• value2: (Optional) Additional numbers or ranges that will be included in the calculation.

Example #1

=VARP(A1:A10)

This function calculates the variance of the population represented in cells A1 through A10. For example, if A1 to A10 contains the numbers 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, and 100, the result would be 825.

Example #2

=VARP(10, 20, 30)

Here, the function calculates the variance of the three specific values 10, 20, and 30. The result will be 100, indicating that these values have variability in relation to their mean.

Example #3

=VARP(A1:A5, B1:B5)

In this case, the function computes the variance for values across ranges A1 to A5 and B1 to B5. Assuming both ranges have the same population data, the output could be 200.

Error handling

• DIV/0!: This error occurs if no values are provided for the calculation, indicating that there is no data to compute variance.
• VALUE!: This error appears if one or more of the inputs are non-numeric, signaling that the function cannot process the supplied values.
• N/A: This can occur if a referenced range does not contain any data, meaning the function is attempting to calculate variance from empty cells.

Conclusion

In summary, the VARP function is an essential tool in Google Sheets for accurately assessing variance based on complete population data. By utilizing this function, users can gain deeper insights into their datasets, enabling better decision-making and analytical outcomes. Whether working with simple numerical values or ranges of data, VARP serves as a reliable method for statistical analysis.