STDEV.S Function in LibreOffice Calc — Tested Examples
An explanation of LibreOffice Calc STDEV.S, including tested formulas, examples, expected results and common mistakes.
Tested: Examples checked in LibreOffice Calc 25.2.3.2. What this means
Calculates the standard deviation based on a sample. For 2,4,6 the sample standard deviation is 2 in the same units as the original measurements.
Syntax and arguments
=STDEV.S(Number_)
LibreOffice Calc formulas generally separate arguments with semicolons (;).
| Argument | Explanation |
|---|---|
Number |
Number 1, number 2, … are numerical arguments which portray a sample of a population. |
Worked examples
Example 1: Calculate sample standard deviation
=STDEV.S(2;4;6)
Expected result: 2. This value was returned in the LibreOffice Calc 25.2 test.
Example 2: Sample standard deviation of 1, 2, 3
=STDEV.S(1;2;3)
Expected result: 1. This value was returned in the LibreOffice Calc 25.2 test.
How to interpret the result
For 2,4,6 the sample standard deviation is 2 in the same units as the original measurements.
Mistakes and troubleshooting
- Check inputs and assumptions: Do not use STDEV.S and STDEV.P interchangeably on a small data set.
- Check argument order and format: Strings go in quotes, cell references do not. Functions that return arrays may require special entry.
- Verify your own data: Reproduce the example first. If your formula returns an error, inspect the referenced cells and individual argument values.
Related functions
Tested version and primary reference
2 example(s) on this page passed real calculations in LibreOffice Calc 25.2.3.2. This is not a claim about every possible input or other spreadsheet applications.