Documentation/How Tos/Calc: VARPA function

VARPA

Returns the population variance (allowing text and logical values).

Syntax:

VARPA(number1; number2; ... number30)

number1 to number30 are up to 30 numbers or ranges containing numbers. Logical values and text may also be included.

VARPA returns the variance where number1 to number30 are the entire population. If you only have a sample of the population use VARA instead.

Logical values are regarded as 1 (TRUE) and 0 (FALSE).

Text values are always regarded as zero.

For a population of N values, the calculation formula is:

.

Example:

VARPA(3; 3; 7; 7)

returns 4.

VARPA(B1:B4)

where cells B1, B2, B3, B4 contain red, FALSE, 4, 4 returns 4, the population variance of 0, 0, 4 and 4.

Issues:

• Calc always evaluates text values as 0. The forthcoming international standard ODFF optionally allows numerical text to be converted to number form. Portability between ODFF compliant spreadsheets may therefore be an issue.

• Text given as a parameter fails: VARPA("red";1;2) returns Err:504 (issue 87855, target OOo3.0).