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Quick Answer

STDEVP Function

Population standard deviation (n) of a set of numbers.

✓ Excel✓ Google SheetsExcel All versions

Syntax

STDEVP
(number1, [number2], ...)

Parameters

ParameterDescriptionRequired
number1The first number, range, or reference in the population.Required
number2Additional numbers, ranges, or references (optional, up to 255 total arguments).Optional

Basic Example

Population standard deviation of five values

=STDEVP(10,20,30,40,50)
Result14.14213562

The mean is 30; the population variance is 200 (sum of squared deviations 1000 divided by 5) and its square root is 14.14213562.

Advanced Examples

Example 1: Population from a range

Full census of a small group

Compute the spread of every value in B2:B6

=STDEVP(B2:B6)
Result: Population standard deviation of the 5 values
Divides by n (5) rather than n-1.

Example 2: Population vs sample

Comparing denominators

Same data, two different denominators

=STDEVP(10,20,30,40,50) and =STDEV(10,20,30,40,50)
Result: 14.14213562 and 15.8113883
STDEVP divides by 5 (n) while STDEV divides by 4 (n-1), so the sample version is larger.

How STDEVP Works

STDEVP computes the population variance as the sum of squared deviations from the mean divided by n, then takes the square root. Using n (not n-1) is correct only when the supplied data is the complete population; for a sample, STDEV's n-1 correction is appropriate. Text and logical values in references are ignored.

1
Confirm population
Ensure the data represents the entire population, not a sample.
2
Enter formula
Type =STDEVP(range or values).
3
Press Enter
The population standard deviation is displayed.

Important Notes & Limitations

  • Only valid when the data is the entire population; using it on a sample underestimates the true spread.

  • Ignores text and logical values inside ranged references.

  • Requires at least one numeric value, otherwise returns #DIV/0!.

Common Errors & Fixes

#DIV/0!No numeric values were supplied.

Fix: Provide at least one data point.

Result too smallData was actually a sample but n was used.

Fix: Use STDEV (or STDEV.S) for a sample.

Download Practice File

Practice STDEVP with Real Data

Download a sample CSV file with pre-populated data and practice exercises for the STDEVP function. Works in both Excel and Google Sheets.

Works in Google SheetsCompatible with ExcelIncludes exercises

File format: CSV (comma-separated values) - opens in Excel, Google Sheets, and all spreadsheet apps

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between STDEVP and STDEV?
STDEVP divides by n (population), STDEV divides by n-1 (sample).
Is STDEVP the same as STDEV.P?
Functionally yes; STDEV.P is the modern replacement for the legacy STDEVP.
Does STDEVP include text in cells?
No. Use STDEVPA if you want text counted as 0 and TRUE counted as 1.