STDEV Function (OpenOffice Calc)
The STDEV function in OpenOffice Calc calculates the sample standard deviation of a dataset. Learn syntax, examples, statistical meaning, common errors, and best practices.
Verification status: Consult the documentation, examples and any stated test scope below. How formula examples are checked
Availability and version history
- Introduced: Documented by Apache OpenOffice 4.1.16; original introduction not established.
- Availability: Supported in Apache OpenOffice 4.1.16, verified against its function registry. This identifies a supported release, not a final working version.
- Scope: Desktop Calc, using the English function name. Availability in other spreadsheet applications is separate.
- Checked: 2026-10-14 — function reference; versioned support. Documentation/source check; not a new native test. Existing example-specific test claims below retain their stated scope.
The STDEV function in OpenOffice Calc calculates the sample standard deviation, a key statistical measure that describes how spread out values are around the mean. It is essential for scientific analysis, financial modeling, quality control, and any scenario where variability matters.
What the STDEV Function Does
- Calculates sample standard deviation
- Measures how much values vary from the mean
- Ignores text and empty cells
- Includes dates and times (because they are numeric)
- Works across sheets
- Useful for scientific, financial, and statistical analysis
Use STDEV when working with a sample.
Syntax
STDEV(number1; number2; ...)
Arguments:
- number1, number2, … — Individual values, cell references, or ranges
Statistical Meaning
STDEV uses the sample standard deviation formula:
[ s = \sqrt{\frac{\sum (x_i - \bar{x})^2}{n - 1}} ]
Where:
- ( x_i ) = each value
- ( \bar{x} ) = sample mean
- ( n ) = number of values
This makes STDEV appropriate when your data represents a subset of a larger population.
Basic Examples
Standard deviation of a range
=STDEV(A1:A10)
Standard deviation of multiple ranges
=STDEV(A1:A10; C1:C10)
Standard deviation of a list of values
=STDEV(10; 25; 7; 99; 3)
Standard deviation of dates
If A1:A5 contains dates:
=STDEV(A1:A5)
Result: variability in days.
Advanced Examples
STDEV across sheets
=STDEV(Sheet1.A1:A100)
STDEV with conditions (workaround)
OpenOffice Calc does not have STDEVIF, but you can use:
=STDEV(IF(A1:A100="North"; B1:B100))
Confirm with Ctrl+Shift+Enter.
STDEV within a date range
=STDEV(IF((A1:A100>=DATE(2025;1;1))*(A1:A100<=DATE(2025;12;31)); B1:B100))
Confirm with Ctrl+Shift+Enter.
STDEV excluding zeros
=STDEV(IF(A1:A100<>0; A1:A100))
Confirm with Ctrl+Shift+Enter.
STDEV of filtered data
STDEV does not ignore filtered rows.
Workaround:
=STDEV(IF(SUBTOTAL(103; OFFSET(A1; ROW(A1:A100)-ROW(A1); 0)); A1:A100))
Confirm with Ctrl+Shift+Enter.
STDEV in a 3D range
=STDEV(Sheet1:Sheet5.A1:A10)
Common Errors and Fixes
STDEV returns Err:502 (Invalid argument)
Occurs when:
- Fewer than 2 numeric values exist
- All values are text or empty
- Imported numbers stored as text
Fix: Convert text to numbers:
Data → Text to Columns → OK
STDEV returns 0 unexpectedly
Possible causes:
- All values are identical
- Only one numeric value exists
STDEV includes values you expected it to ignore
STDEV includes:
- Dates
- Times
- Numeric results of formulas
STDEV excludes values you expected it to include
STDEV ignores:
- Text numbers (
"123") - Empty cells
- Logical values (TRUE/FALSE)
- Errors
Err:508 — Missing parenthesis
Usually caused by:
- Missing
) - Using commas instead of semicolons
Best Practices
- Use STDEV for sample datasets
- Use STDEVP for full populations
- Use array formulas for conditional standard deviation
- Convert imported text numbers to real numbers
- Avoid mixing text and numbers in the same column
- Use named ranges for cleaner formulas