The STANDARDIZE function in Google Sheets is a powerful tool used for statistical analysis. It transforms a value into a standardized score, also known as a z-score, which indicates how many standard deviations a data point is from the mean of a dataset. This function is particularly useful in various fields such as finance, research, and data science, where understanding the relative position of a value within a set is critical.

Syntax

STANDARDIZE(x, mean, standard_dev)

• x: The value that you want to standardize.
• mean: The average of the dataset from which x is drawn.
• standard_dev: The standard deviation of the dataset from which x is drawn.

Example #1

STANDARDIZE(85, 75, 10)

This function call standardizes the value 85, given that the mean of the dataset is 75 and the standard deviation is 10. The result would be 1.0, indicating that 85 is one standard deviation above the mean.

Example #2

STANDARDIZE(60, 70, 5)

In this example, the value 60 is standardized with a mean of 70 and a standard deviation of 5. The result is -2.0, illustrating that 60 is two standard deviations below the mean.

Example #3

STANDARDIZE(100, 90, 20)

Here, the function standardizes 100, assuming a mean of 90 and a standard deviation of 20. The output would be 0.5, which denotes that 100 is half a standard deviation above the mean.

Error handling

• DIV/0!: This error occurs if the standard deviation is 0, indicating no variability in the dataset.
• VALUE!: This error is returned if any of the parameters provided are non-numeric.
• NUM!: This error may arise if the computed value is not a valid number, often linked to invalid inputs for mean or standard deviation.

Conclusion

The STANDARDIZE function is an essential statistical tool in Google Sheets for transforming values into standardized scores. By leveraging this function, users can easily understand data distributions and make informed decisions based on z-scores. This function enhances data analysis capabilities, making it an invaluable asset for anyone dealing with statistical data.