How to Calculate Sample Variance in Microsoft Excel
- George Apostolov
How to Calculate Sample Variance in Microsoft Excel: step-by-step guide
Inside your Microsoft Excel worksheet, head over to the top menu bar and click 'Formulas'.
Select 'More Functions' from the available options.
Subsequently, hover your mouse cursor over the 'Statistical' option and then click 'VAR.S'.
Tap the 'Number1' input field and then enter the cell range that contains the data you wish to calculate.
Once done, tap 'Insert' to proceed.
After completing these steps, the sample variance of the selected dataset will be calculated based on your input.
Quick answer: To calculate sample variance in Microsoft Excel, click Formulas, select More Functions, hover over Statistical, and choose VAR.S. Next, enter the cell range into the Number1 field and tap Insert to compute the sample variance for your dataset.
About this Microsoft tutorial
Calculate sample variance in Microsoft Excel by using the VAR.S statistical function with your selected data range. This guide shows how to calculate Sample Variance in Microsoft Excel in 6 steps, starting with "Inside your Microsoft Excel worksheet, head over to the top menu bar and click 'Formulas'" and finishing with "After completing these steps, the sample variance of the selected dataset will be calcu...". The interactive demo above is a click-through copy of the real Microsoft interface, so you can rehearse each step before doing it in your own account.
Frequently asked questions
How many steps does it take to calculate Sample Variance in Microsoft Excel?
6 steps. Each one is listed in order above, and the demo highlights exactly where to click.
Can I try it without changing my own account?
Yes. Clicking through the demo doesn't touch your Microsoft data or settings. Once you know the flow, repeat it in your own workspace.
This tutorial is filed under Microsoft and Excel. Related guides: How to calculate standard deviation in microsoft excel, How to Calculate the Average in Microsoft Excel and How to Calculate the Mean in Microsoft Excel. Last reviewed 05 Oct 2026.
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