Quick answer
Calculate sample variance.
=VAR.S(B2:B100)Example data layout
Use a small table first, confirm the result, then copy the formula down the column.
| Input | Helper value | Result |
|---|---|---|
| A2 | B2 | Formula result |
| A3 | B3 | Copied formula result |
Copy-paste examples
Beginner
Basic VAR.S example
=VAR.S(B2:B100)Adjust the cell references to match your worksheet layout.
Beginner
VAR.S copied down rows
=VAR.S(B3:B100)Adjust the cell references to match your worksheet layout.
Intermediate
VAR.S with clean fallback
=IFERROR(VAR.S(B2:B100),"")Adjust the cell references to match your worksheet layout.
Intermediate
VAR.S with structured references
=VAR.S([@Value]:B100)Adjust the cell references to match your worksheet layout.
Advanced
VAR.S with dynamic data
=VAR.S(Table1[Amount])Adjust the cell references to match your worksheet layout.
Advanced
VAR.S inside a report formula
=LET(result,VAR.S(B2:B100),result)Adjust the cell references to match your worksheet layout.
Step-by-step tips
- Paste the formula into the first result cell.
- Replace sample references like A2, B2, or Table1 with your real cells or table columns.
- Test the formula on two or three rows before copying it down.
- Format the result column as Number, Date, Currency, or Percentage when needed.
- Keep a backup copy of your original data before applying formulas across a large range.
Common mistakes
- Using text values where Excel expects numbers or dates.
- Forgetting quotation marks around text criteria.
- Copying a formula without locking fixed references using dollar signs.
- Applying the wrong number format and thinking the formula is wrong.