VAR.S Function in LibreOffice Calc — Tested Examples
An explanation of LibreOffice Calc VAR.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 variance based on a sample. The observations 2,4,6 have sample mean 4 and sample variance 4. Here n−1 is the denominator.
Syntax and arguments
=VAR.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 variance
=VAR.S(2;4;6)
Expected result: 4. This value was returned in the LibreOffice Calc 25.2 test.
Example 2: Sample variance of 1, 2, 3
=VAR.S(1;2;3)
Expected result: 1. This value was returned in the LibreOffice Calc 25.2 test.
How to interpret the result
The observations 2,4,6 have sample mean 4 and sample variance 4. Here n−1 is the denominator.
Mistakes and troubleshooting
- Check inputs and assumptions: Use VAR.P when the observations represent the complete population, not a statistical sample.
- 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.