How to use the DSTDEV Function in Excel

In this article, we will learn about how to use the DSTDEV function in Excel.

DSTDEV function is built-in database function in Excel. The DSTDEV function returns the Standard deviation of the values from the sample database having multiple conditions. Conditions to the function is given using a table, which must have the same fields or headers as on the database.

DSTDEV function returns the Standard deviation of the field based on given multiple criteria. The DSTDEV function takes criteria as a table having the same fields as on the database.

Syntax:

=DSTDEV (database, field, criteria)

Database : database

Field : the required field, call by name or text in quotes.

Criteria : one or more conditions taken as table array.

EXAMPLE:

This all might be confusing to you so lets gear up and understand the DSTDEV function using it in an example.

Database

Table

Here we have a list of Products bought with their respective details & We need to get the Standard deviation from the TotalPrice based on criterias mentioned in the table

There are some things you have to take care of when using this function

Database and criteria table should have same fields.
Formula must be used in any other cell than criteria area.

First condition is City : Boston

Second condition is Product : Carrot

So the function must return the Standard deviation of the Carrot (Product) bought from Boston (city)

Use the formula for the above condition:

=DSTDEV (A1 : F15, "TotalPrice", A17 : F18)

A1 : F15 : database

"TotalPrice" : field by text in quotes or field can be input as 4 (4th column from the database).

A17 : F18 : criteria as table array

The Standard deviation of the values comes out to be 58.41 .

DSTDEV function can have multiple criteria on one field by adding rows in the table

Now we will take an example taking multiple criteria on the same database.

Here we have multiple conditions on the field Quantity i.e. less than 100 & greater than 50 units bought from Los Angeles. We need to get the Standard deviation of TotalPrice having the conditions stated in the snapshot.

Use the formula for the above condition:

=DSTDEV (A1:F15, "TotalPrice", A17:F19)

A1 : F15 : database

"TotalPrice" : field by text in quotes or field can be input as 6 (6th column from the database).

A17 : F19 : multiple criteria by adding one row in table array

The Standard deviation of the values comes out to be 12.862 .

You don’t need to edit the formula every time as criteria field gets updated as soon as you provide the input to table fields.

Notes:

Wildcards keys ( *, ? , ~) can be used with the DSTDEV function.
The function returns an error if any field value is incorrect.
If data represents a sample, use the DSTDEV function. DSTDEVP function is used to calculate the standard deviation for an entire population.

As you can see the DSTDEV function in excel returns values from the table field.

Hope you understood How to use the DSTDEV function in Excel. Explore more articles on Mathematical functions like STDEV and STDEVP functions here. Please state your query or feedback in the comment box below.

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