DVARP Function for Conditional Variance in Google Sheets

Attention all Google Sheets enthusiasts! Have you ever wondered how to calculate the conditional variance of a whole population in Google Sheets? Look no further because we have the answer for you! In this tutorial, we will dive into the world of Google Sheets and explore the power of the DVARP function. Get ready to unleash your data analysis skills and impress your colleagues with your spreadsheet prowess.

DVARP Function Syntax and Arguments Explained

Before we delve into the examples, let’s take a moment to understand the syntax and arguments of the DVARP function. The syntax is as follows:

DVARP(database, field, criteria)

Now, let’s break down each argument:

1. DATABASE: This argument refers to the data you want to consider. The first row of the data should contain labels for each column’s values. However, if your data lacks field labels, fret not! We can work around this limitation by specifying the labels virtually within the formula.

2. FIELD: This argument indicates which column in the database you want to use to calculate the variance. You can either use the text label method or the numeric index method to specify the column. The choice is yours!

3. CRITERIA: This argument allows you to specify conditions to filter the database before performing the variance calculation. You must use at least one field label and one cell below the field label as the criteria range. If your data does not have a header row, don’t worry. We will cover that scenario too.

Formula Examples

Now that we have a solid understanding of the DVARP function, let’s explore some examples to see it in action. Consider the following database table:

Dog Breed	Height (mm)	Weight (lbs)
Pug	250	15
Yorkshire Terrier	200	12
Papillon	180	10
French Bulldog	300	20
Labrador Retriever	600	60
Boxer	550	50
Pomeranian	220	13

Using this table, we can calculate the variance of the “Height (mm)” column using the DVARP function. Let’s dive into some examples:

Using DVARP Function in a Database-Like Table in Google Sheets

Suppose we want to extract the records containing “Pomeranian” and calculate the variance of their height using the text label method. In this case, our formula would look like this:

DVARP(A1:C12, "Height (mm)", E1:E2)

Alternatively, we can also use the numeric index method:

DVARP(A1:C12, 2, E1:E2)

What if we want to include both “Pomeranian” and “Yorkshire Terrier” in our criteria? No problem! Simply insert the text “Yorkshire Terrier” in cell E3 and modify the criteria range to E1:E3:

DVARP(A1:C12, 2, E1:E3)

As you can see, the DVARP function in Google Sheets is a powerful tool for performing variance calculations in a database-like table.

Using DVARP Function in Google Sheets When Field Labels Are Missing

But what if our table doesn’t have field labels in the first row? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! Here’s the solution:

DVARP({" "," "," "; A2:C12}, 2, {" "; E2:E3})

In this case, we have added space characters as the field labels to ensure proper functioning of the DVARP function.

Additional Notes

Here are a few additional things to keep in mind while using the DVARP function in Google Sheets:

1. If you don’t want to specify any criteria and want to include all the records in the database, simply use one of the column references from the database itself. For example, to include all dog breeds, you can specify the criteria as A1:A12.

2. The DVARP function in Google Sheets ignores records in the table that contain blank cells, text strings, TRUE, and FALSE in the evaluation column. However, it does include zero values.

That’s it for now, folks! We hope you found this tutorial helpful in mastering the DVARP function in Google Sheets. If you want to explore more tips and tricks for data analysis in Google Sheets, head over to Crawlan.com for more exciting content. Stay tuned for more juicy secrets and happy spreadsheeting!