How to Calculate Standard Deviation in Google Sheets

Understanding how to calculate standard deviation is essential when working with data sets, especially in statistics, business, or research.

Standard deviation tells you how much your data varies from the mean, helping you make more informed decisions. Google Sheets makes this process incredibly simple with built-in functions that save time and effort.

Whether you're a student analyzing exam scores or a business owner reviewing sales performance, this tutorial will guide you step-by-step on how to calculate standard deviation in Google Sheets using the right functions and formulas for accurate analysis.

Step-by-Step: How to Calculate Standard Deviation in Google Sheets

Step 1: Open Google Sheets

Visit sheets.google.com.

Open an existing spreadsheet or create a new one.

Step 2: Enter Your Data

Input your numeric data into a single column (e.g., A1 to A10).

Ensure the cells contain only numbers.

Step 3: Choose the Right Standard Deviation Formula

Google Sheets offers two commonly used functions:

STDEV.P – for the entire population.

STDEV.S – for a sample of a population.

Step 4: Apply the Formula

Click on an empty cell where you want the result.

Type one of the following:

=STDEV.P(A1:A10) – if your data represents the full population.
=STDEV.S(A1:A10) – if your data is just a sample.

Press Enter to calculate the standard deviation.

Step 5: Review and Interpret

The result will appear in the selected cell.

A low standard deviation indicates the data is close to the mean, while a high one shows more variability.

Tired of spending hours cleaning data or writing complex formulas? Here’s a smarter solution: SheetAI.app

Whether you're managing sales reports, crafting marketing content, or analyzing feedback, working in spreadsheets can be time-consuming and repetitive. But what if you could automate these tasks and enhance your productivity directly within Google Sheets? That's exactly what SheetAI offers.

SheetAI is an AI-powered add-on for Google Sheets that brings advanced capabilities right into your spreadsheet. Simply describe what you want in plain English, and SheetAI will execute tasks such as generating formulas, cleaning data, summarizing text, and even creating images. (SheetAI Documentation - AI-Powered Functions for Google Sheets)

Here’s what you’ll love about SheetAI:

Natural Language Commands: Use plain English to perform complex tasks.

AI-Powered Functions: Leverage functions like =SHEETAI() and =SHEETAI_RANGE() for dynamic content generation.

Data Cleaning & Analysis: Automate data sanitization, summarization, and categorization.

Content Generation: Create blog ideas, product descriptions, and personalized messages effortlessly.

Image Creation: Generate images directly within your spreadsheet using =SHEETAI_IMAGE().

Formula Generation: Convert textual descriptions into accurate Google Sheets formulas.

Integration with AI Models: Supports GPT-3, GPT-4, Claude, and Gemini for versatile AI capabilities.

Perfect for marketers, analysts, educators, and anyone looking to enhance their spreadsheet workflows.

Ready to revolutionize your Google Sheets experience? Install SheetAI now and start automating your tasks with AI!

Conclusion

Calculating standard deviation in Google Sheets is quick and easy using built-in functions like STDEV.P and STDEV.S.

With just a few steps, you can analyze the variability in your data and gain deeper insights.

Mastering this skill will improve your data analysis, whether you're working on academic research or business reports.

FAQs are here to guide!

What’s the difference between STDEV.P and STDEV.S?

STDEV.P is used for the entire population, while STDEV.S is for a sample.

Can I calculate standard deviation across rows instead of columns?

Yes, simply change the cell range (e.g., A1:E1) when applying the formula.

Does Google Sheets support standard deviation for filtered data?

Not directly. You’ll need to use FILTER or manually select the filtered range.

Can I include blank cells in my range?

Yes, Google Sheets will ignore blank cells automatically when calculating standard deviation.

How to Calculate Standard Deviation in Google Sheets