STDEVPA Function

All versions Statistical

The Excel STDEVPA function calculates the standard deviation of an entire population, including text and logical values — counting TRUE as 1, and FALSE and text as 0.

Quick answer:

=STDEVPA({2,4,4,4,5,5,7,9}) population standard deviation = 2

Syntax

=STDEVPA(value1, [value2], ...)

Argument		Description
`value1`	Required	The first value, array, or range representing the population. Logical and text values are included.
`value2, ...`	Optional	Up to 254 additional values, arrays, or ranges.

How to use it

STDEVPA is the population counterpart of STDEVA. It computes the population standard deviation (dividing by n) while including logical and text values in the count.

=STDEVPA({2,4,4,4,5,5,7,9}) // pure numbers = 2

=STDEVPA({1,2,3,TRUE}) // TRUE counts as 1

The counting rules match STDEVA: TRUE = 1, FALSE = 0, and text = 0, each adding to the data count. The difference from STDEVA is only the divisor — n for the population versus n−1 for the sample.

Four-way grid: STDEV.P (population, numbers only), STDEV.S (sample, numbers only), STDEVPA (population, counts text/logicals), STDEVA (sample, counts text/logicals).

Try it: interactive demo

Live demo

Pick a STDEVPA example to see the formula and its result.

example

Result:

Practice workbook

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Frequently asked questions

How is STDEVPA different from STDEV.P?

Both compute the population standard deviation (dividing by n), but STDEVPA includes logical and text values — TRUE as 1, FALSE and text as 0 — whereas STDEV.P ignores them.

How does STDEVPA treat TRUE, FALSE, and text?

TRUE counts as 1, FALSE counts as 0, and any text value counts as 0. Each becomes a data point. Truly empty cells are still ignored.

What is the difference between STDEVPA and STDEVA?

Only the divisor: STDEVPA divides by n (the whole population) while STDEVA divides by n−1 (a sample). Both apply the same text-and-logical counting rules.

When should I use STDEVPA?

When you have the entire population and the range mixes numbers with logical or text values you want counted as 0 or 1 — for example a full census column with TRUE/FALSE flags.

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Related functions: STDEV.P · STDEVA · VARPA · AVERAGEA · STDEV.S