The STDEV.S function in Google Sheets is designed to compute the standard deviation for a sample set of numbers. This statistical tool provides insights into the variability or spread of your data points, which is crucial for data analysis and interpretation.

Syntax

STDEV.S(value1, [value2, ...])

• value1: The first data point or range of data from which you want to calculate the standard deviation.
• value2: Optional additional data points or ranges to include in the calculation. You can add multiple values.

Example #1

STDEV.S(A1:A10)

This function calculates the standard deviation of the sample data found in the range A1 to A10. For example, if A1:A10 contains the values 5, 7, 8, 6, 9, the result would be approximately 1.58.

Example #2

STDEV.S(10, 12, 14, 16)

This function computes the standard deviation of the specific values 10, 12, 14, and 16. The result would be approximately 2.08, indicating a low spread among these numbers.

Example #3

STDEV.S(A1:A5, B1:B5)

Here, STDEV.S takes two ranges, A1:A5 and B1:B5, to calculate the standard deviation of all values in both ranges. If A1:A5 contains the values 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and B1:B5 contains the values 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, the output would reflect the combined variability of both sets.

Error handling

• DIV/0!: This error occurs when there is no data to calculate the standard deviation. Ensure that the range contains valid numeric entries.
• N/A: Indicates that one of the values being evaluated is not a number. Check your data ranges for non-numeric values.
• VALUE!: This error is thrown if the types of values provided are incompatible. Make sure all inputs are numeric or valid references.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the STDEV.S function is an essential tool for statistical analysis in Google Sheets. It allows users to quantify the variability of a data sample, making it easier to draw insights and conclusions from the dataset. Understanding how to effectively use this function can greatly enhance your data analysis capabilities.