EDUCBA Logo

EDUCBA

MENUMENU
  • Explore
    • EDUCBA Pro
    • PRO Bundles
    • Featured Skills
    • New & Trending
    • Fresh Entries
    • Finance
    • Data Science
    • Programming and Dev
    • Excel
    • Marketing
    • HR
    • PDP
    • VFX and Design
    • Project Management
    • Exam Prep
    • All Courses
  • Blog
  • Enterprise
  • Free Courses
  • Log in
  • Sign Up
Home Excel Excel Resources Statistical Functions in Excel Excel Standard Deviation Formula
 

Excel Standard Deviation Formula

Pradeep S
Article byPradeep S
Madhuri Thakur
Reviewed byMadhuri Thakur

Updated August 23, 2023

Standard Deviation in Excel

 

 

Standard Deviation Formula in Excel

In this article, we will learn about Standard Deviation Formula in Excel. It is widely used in statistical calculation. Standard Deviation is the deviation of the range about the mean value. Or, if we say it simply, it shows how much the number of values differs from the mean value of the selected range.

There are two types of Standard Deviations;

  1. Low Standard Deviation
  2. High Standard Deviation

A low Standard Deviation has a value standard deviation close to the mean value; thus, the curve becomes stiffer at the top and small towards the bottom. Whereas in High Standard Deviation, the standard deviation has value away from the mean value, with this curve becoming smooth at the top and wider towards the bottom.

How to Use Standard Deviation Formula in Excel?

Let’s understand how to calculate Standard Deviation in Excel using a formula using some examples and how to plot a graph of Standard Deviation in Excel.

You can download this Standard Deviation Formula Excel Template here – Standard Deviation Formula Excel Template

The syntax for Standard Deviation Formula in Excel –

The standard deviation formula can be used from Insert Function, beside the formula bar, by clicking the fx icon.

Standard Deviation Formula Syntax

Standard Deviation Formula in Excel – Example #1

We have sample sales data of a product, where we observed a huge deviation in the sale for 10 days. Now let’s see and calculate how much deviation we are getting for the selected data set.

Standard Deviation Formula example 1-1

For calculating standard deviation, first, go to the cell where we need the output. Then go to the insert function option beside the formula bar, as shown below.

Standard Deviation Formula example 1-2

Once we do that, we will get the Insert Function box. From here, select the Standard Deviation function, which is available as STDEV from the Statistical category Or select a category, or from there, select ALL category to look for the required function as shown below. Once we are done with selecting the function, click on OK.

Standard Deviation Formula example 1-3

Once we click OK, it will take us to the Function Argument of Standard Deviation. Now we will see two number ranges, Number1 and Number2. Go to Number 1 and select the complete range. Here we have selected a range from cell B2 to B10.

Note – Any number range can accommodate only 255 cell count. If it exceeds, we can use Number2, Number3… and so on.

Standard Deviation Formula example 1-4

As we can see in the above screenshot, we already have a formula result at the bottom left of the box for the selected range. If the selected range is incorrect, no value will be shown.

After clicking OK, we can see the selected range’s standard deviation in the selected cell.

Standard Deviation Formula example 1-5

Now let’s understand what it means. As we can see, our standard deviation value is showing as 23.16127, which means for the selected range, if our mean comes as 31.22, the selected range can deviate 23.16127 about the mean value.

Standard Deviation Formula in Excel – Example #2

There is another way to calculate the Standard Deviation formula in Excel. Let’s consider the same data we have seen in the above example.

Standard Deviation Formula example 2-1

For calculating the standard deviation formula in Excel, go to the cell where we want to see the result and type the ‘=’ (Equal) sign. This will enable all the inbuilt functions in Excel. Now, search for Standard Deviation by typing STDEV, the keyword to find and select, as shown below.

Standard Deviation Formula example 2-2

Now select the complete range. Here we have selected the range from cell B2 to B10.

Standard Deviation Formula example 2-3

Press Enter to exit the edit mode, and we will see the calculated standard deviation value, as shown below.

Standard Deviation Formula example 2-4

As we can see, the standard deviation value is coming as 23.16127. We can also calculate the mean value of the same data to compare how much deviation of data we get about the mean value with the AVERAGE formula’s help.

Standard Deviation Formula example 2-5

We have shown how standard deviation and mean are connected for the demonstration. The mean value of 31.222 is at the centerline of the whole range, and the Standard Deviation is a little far away from the mean value. It can be towards both sides of the mean.

Also, for the value with decimal digits up to 4 and 5, we can make it in the round figure using the ROUND function before the standard deviation. For the type ROUND before STDEV and select the num_digit as 0, as shown below. Once we press Enter, we will get the standard deviation round figure value, as shown below. This will give us the perfect rounded value, which we can use further for other analyses.

example 2-6

Standard Deviation Formula in Excel – Example #3

Let’s see another Excel data set for Standard Deviation calculation, as shown below.

example 3-1

Now, as shown in the above example 1 and 2, calculate the Standard Deviation and Mean.

example 3-2

Now for plotting it on a graph, select the complete data and go to Insert Menu; under Charts, select Scatter chart with Smooth Lines and Markers, which is best suited for plotting Standard Deviation as shown below.

example 3-4

Once we click on it, we will get the points plotted on the Standard Deviation graph, as shown below.

example 3-3

As we can see above, we got a curve, and all the points are in their range.

Things to Remember

  • Select the complete range. If there is any cell break, consider the cell break and include that in the range.
  • Always consider the reference of the Mean value so that the calculated standard deviation can be measured.
  • The standard deviation formula in Excel always deviates from both sides of the mean value, but it can sometimes be skewed towards any of the axes.

Recommended Articles

This has been a guide to the Standard Deviation Formula in Excel. Here we discussed How to Calculate Standard Deviation using Formula in Excel, practical examples, and a downloadable Excel template. You can also go through our other suggested articles –

  1. Excel Square Root Function
  2. IF AND Function in Excel
  3. Excel Grade Formula
  4. Excel AVERAGE Function

Primary Sidebar

Footer

Follow us!
  • EDUCBA FacebookEDUCBA TwitterEDUCBA LinkedINEDUCBA Instagram
  • EDUCBA YoutubeEDUCBA CourseraEDUCBA Udemy
APPS
EDUCBA Android AppEDUCBA iOS App
Blog
  • Blog
  • Free Tutorials
  • About us
  • Contact us
  • Log in
Courses
  • Enterprise Solutions
  • Free Courses
  • Explore Programs
  • All Courses
  • All in One Bundles
  • Sign up
Email
  • [email protected]

ISO 10004:2018 & ISO 9001:2015 Certified

© 2025 - EDUCBA. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THE CERTIFICATION NAMES ARE THE TRADEMARKS OF THEIR RESPECTIVE OWNERS.

EDUCBA

*Please provide your correct email id. Login details for this Free course will be emailed to you
Loading . . .
Quiz
Question:

Answer:

Quiz Result
Total QuestionsCorrect AnswersWrong AnswersPercentage

Explore 1000+ varieties of Mock tests View more

EDUCBA

*Please provide your correct email id. Login details for this Free course will be emailed to you
EDUCBA
Free Excel Course

Excel functions, formula, charts, formatting creating excel dashboard & others

By continuing above step, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
*Please provide your correct email id. Login details for this Free course will be emailed to you
EDUCBA

*Please provide your correct email id. Login details for this Free course will be emailed to you

EDUCBA

Download Standard Deviation Formula Excel Template

EDUCBA Login

Forgot Password?

EDUCBA

Download Standard Deviation Formula Excel Template

EDUCBA

डाउनलोड Standard Deviation Formula Excel Template

🚀 Limited Time Offer! - 🎁 ENROLL NOW