<p>The <b>DVAR</b> function is one of the database functions. It is used to estimate the variance of a population based on a sample by using the numbers in a field (column) of records in a list or database that match conditions that you specify.</p>
<pstyle="text-indent: 50px;"><b><em>database</em></b> is the range of cells that make up a database. It must contain column headings in the first row.</p>
<pstyle="text-indent: 50px;"><b><em>field</em></b> is an argument that specifies which field (i.e. column) should be used. It can be specified as a number of the necessary column, or the column heading enclosed in quotation marks.</p>
<pstyle="text-indent: 50px;"><b><em>criteria</em></b> is the range of cells that contain conditions. It must contain at least one field name (column heading) and at least one cell below that specifies the condition to be applied to this field in the database. The <b><em>criteria</em></b> cell range should not overlap the <b><em>database</em></b> range.</p>
<p>To apply the <b>DVAR</b> function,</p>
<ol>
<li>select the cell where you wish to display the result,</li>
<li>click the <b>Insert function</b><imgalt="Insert function icon"src="../images/insertfunction.png"/> icon situated at the top toolbar,
<br/>or right-click within a selected cell and select the <b>Insert Function</b> option from the menu,
<br/>or click the <imgalt="Function icon"src="../images/function.png"/> icon situated at the formula bar,
</li>
<li>select the <b>Database</b> function group from the list,</li>
<li>click the <b>DVAR</b> function,</li>
<li>enter the required arguments separating them by commas or select a range of cells with the mouse,
</li>
<li>press the <b>Enter</b> button.</li>
</ol>
<p>The result will be displayed in the selected cell.</p>