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DVAR

DVAR is a Google Sheets formula used in database management. It calculates the variance of a given field in a filtered database range. This function is useful for organizing and analyzing large sets of data.

Usage

Use the DVAR formula with the syntax shown below, it has 2 required parameters and 1 optional parameter:

=DVAR(database, field, criteria)
Parameters:
  1. database (required):
    The range of cells that make up the database to be filtered and analyzed.
  2. field (required):
    The column or range of columns that contain the data to be analyzed. This must be a single column in the database range.
  3. criteria (optional):
    A range or expression that defines which records to include in the variance calculation. If this parameter is left blank, all records in the database will be used.

Examples

Here are a few example use cases that explain how to use the DVAR formula in Google Sheets.

Calculating variance for a specific field

Use DVAR to calculate the variance of a specific field in a database. This can help you identify trends and patterns in your data.

Filtering data before calculating variance

Use the criteria parameter to filter the data before calculating variance. This can help you focus on specific subsets of data and uncover more specific trends.

Analyzing data sets with multiple columns

Use DVAR to calculate the variance of multiple columns in a database. Simply specify a range of columns in the field parameter.

Common Mistakes

DVAR not working? Here are some common mistakes people make when using the DVAR Google Sheets Formula:

Incorrect database range

One common mistake is to select an incorrect range for the database argument, which can result in inaccurate calculations. Double check that the range includes all the necessary data.

Using incorrect field

Another mistake is to use the wrong field argument, which can lead to incorrect calculations. Check that the field selected matches the data being analyzed.

Incorrect criteria

If the criteria argument is not entered correctly, the formula may return inaccurate results. Be sure to enter the criteria exactly as it appears in the database.

Empty cells

Empty cells in the database can cause issues with the DVAR formula. Make sure all cells in the database contain data or use a different formula to handle empty cells.

Incorrect data type

If the data in the database is not of the correct data type, the formula may not work correctly. Ensure that the data is in the correct format.

Related Formulas

The following functions are similar to DVAR or are often used with it in a formula:

  • DAVERAGE

    The DAVERAGE function calculates the average value of a specified field in a database that matches the given criteria. The function is commonly used in financial and business analysis to calculate averages based on specific conditions.

  • DSUM

    The DSUM function is a database function that calculates the sum of a set of values in a specified field, subject to the provided criteria. It is commonly used for filtering large data sets based on certain criteria and calculating the total sum of a particular field that matches the criteria.

  • DCOUNT

    The DCOUNT function is a database function in Google Sheets that counts the number of cells in a column of a database that match a set of criteria. This function is most commonly used to filter a database based on certain criteria and count the number of cells that meet that criteria.

  • DGET

    The DGET formula is used to retrieve a single value from a database table based on specified criteria. It returns the value of a cell in a column that meets the criteria specified in the formula.

Learn More

You can learn more about the DVAR Google Sheets function on Google Support.