VAR

Excel Functions

Get variation of a sample

Syntax

EXCEL

=VAR(number1, [number2], ...)

Arguments

Parameter	Description
`number1`	First number or reference.
`number2`	[optional] Second number or reference.

Return Value

Computed variance

Details

The VAR function estimates the variance for a sample of data. Variance provides a general idea of the spread of data. In the example shown, the formula in F4 is: VAR ignores text and logicals passed into as cell references. For example, VAR will ignore FALSE when it appears in a range like A1:A10. However, VAR will evaluate logical values, and text representations of numbers hardcoded directly as arguments. Note: Microsoft classifies VAR as a "compatibility function", now replaced by the VAR.S function. The table below summarizes the variation functions available in Excel.

Examples

Example 1

The VAR function estimates the variance for a sample of data. Variance provides a general idea of the spread of data. In the example shown, the formul