DSTDEV Function

The DSTDEV function is one of the database functions. It is used to estimate the standard deviation 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.

The DSTDEV function syntax is:

DSTDEV(database, field, criteria)

where

database is the range of cells that make up a database. It must contain column headings in the first row.

field 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.

criteria 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 criteria cell range should not overlap the database range.

To apply the DSTDEV function,

1. select the cell where you wish to display the result,
2. click the Insert function
   icon situated at the top toolbar,
   or right-click within a selected cell and select the Insert Function option from the menu,
   or click the
   icon situated at the formula bar,
3. select the Database function group from the list,
4. click the DSTDEV function,
5. enter the required arguments separating them by commas or select a range of cells with the mouse,
6. press the Enter button.

The result will be displayed in the selected cell.