Gnumeric · Statistical analysis · Beginner
Descriptive Statistics in Gnumeric: Mean, SD and Variance
Calculate mean, standard deviation, variance and summary statistics in Gnumeric with a small downloadable dataset.
Official documentation reviewed; native application verification pending · Updated 10 October 2026 · Editorial standards
Gnumeric includes a Descriptive Statistics analysis tool for summarizing numeric observations. It can produce several statistics together, which is useful when you need a laboratory QC summary, a small measurement report, or a first look at research data.
Download and inspect sample data
Download sample readings (CSV). The Reading column contains eight numeric measurements: 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24 and 26. Import the file and check that the cells are numbers, not text.
| Metric | Expected result for these eight readings |
|---|---|
| Count | 8 |
| Mean | 19 |
| Median | 19 |
| Minimum / maximum | 12 / 26 |
| Sample variance | 24 |
| Sample standard deviation | About 4.899 |
These reference values were independently calculated from the supplied data; the Gnumeric dialog output still needs native-app verification.
Create a summary table
- Open the sample data in Gnumeric; keep the column heading
Readingat the top. - In the Statistics tools, locate Descriptive Statistics. The project’s official manual documents the tool and its input options; menu placement may differ by release.
- Choose the readings as the input range, group them by column, and enable Labels if the heading is included.
- Select Summary Statistics and output to a new sheet so the original observations are preserved.
- Inspect the mean, count, sample variance and standard deviation against the table above.
Validate with cell formulas
If the readings occupy B2:B9 after import, enter:
=AVERAGE(B2:B9)
=STDEV(B2:B9)
=COUNT(B2:B9)
The expected average is 19. STDEV is the sample standard deviation, not a population measure; the distinction matters when reporting small datasets. See the AVERAGE and STDEV references.
Problems to watch for
- Count is too small: one or more readings may have imported as text. Check locale-specific decimal separators.
- Sample vs. population mismatch: sample variance divides by
n−1; population variance divides byn. - Too many series in output: check whether the tool grouped readings by rows instead of columns.
- Numbers differ slightly: compare whether missing values or rounded input values are included.
Scope: Illustrations are computed independently; UI steps are checked against Gnumeric’s official manual, not executed in Gnumeric in this environment.
Official source: Application handbook or manual. This guide is an editorial draft prepared for staging; exact menus and outputs must be checked in the target software/version before public release.