The Excel STDEVP function returns the standard deviation of an entire population (dividing by n). It is a legacy name — Microsoft now recommends STDEV.P, which is identical.
Syntax
| Argument | Description | |
|---|---|---|
number1 | Required | The first value or range covering the whole population. |
number2, ... | Optional | Up to 254 more values or ranges. Text and logical values in references are ignored. |
How to use it
STDEVP treats your numbers as the complete population, so it divides by n rather than n−1. Use it only when you truly have every member of the group.
If the data is only a sample of a larger group, use STDEV (divide by n−1) instead — it returns a slightly larger value.
Use the modern name: =STDEV.P(...) is the supported replacement and returns the same value. The .P makes the “population” intent explicit.
Try it: interactive demo
Pick a STDEVP example to see the formula and its result.
Practice workbook
Frequently asked questions
Is STDEVP the same as STDEV.P?
STDEV.P (Excel 2010+) is the population standard deviation (divides by n) and returns identical results. STDEVP is kept for backward compatibility.When should I use STDEVP instead of STDEV?
Why is STDEVP smaller than STDEV on the same data?
Should I switch to STDEV.P?
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