The VAR() function calculates the estimated variance of a population from a set of sample values. The syntax for the function is VAR (number1, number2, ...number_n). The arguments "number1, number2, ..number_n" can be numerical values, references to a range of cells or a named range of which you want to find the variance (up to 30 data points).The function accepts logical values when entered directly into the function as arguments but will ignore them and other terms not recognized as numerical values. Note: arguments that are text that cannot be translated into numerical values or that contain errors will cause the function to return an error value. The VAR function returns the amount of variance of a population which describes how distributed the population data is. It can also be thought of the square of the standard deviation or more specifically the average squared deviation form the mean. [chart and worked example] To learn more about variance in statistics see: [The Variance Mathematics Knowledgebase]

How to use the VAR() function: Type " =VAR( " Enter the reference for the array of data "A2:A10". Type")" then press the "Enter" key.

Note: To include logical values in a referenced set of arguments use the VARA function [The VARA() function knowledgebase] .If the variance is required to be more accurate use the VARP function and calculate the variance using the entire population of values [The VARP() function knowledgebase].