STDEVP Function (OpenOffice Calc)
The STDEVP function in OpenOffice Calc calculates the population 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 STDEVP function in OpenOffice Calc calculates the population standard deviation, a key statistical measure that describes how spread out values are when your dataset represents the entire population, not just a sample. It is essential for scientific analysis, financial modeling, quality control, and any scenario where complete data is available.
What the STDEVP Function Does
- Calculates population 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
STDEVP(number1; number2; ...)
Arguments:
- number1, number2, … — Individual values, cell references, or ranges
Statistical Meaning
STDEVP uses the population standard deviation formula:
[ \sigma = \sqrt{\frac{\sum (x_i - \mu)^2}{n}} ]
Where:
- ( x_i ) = each value
- ( \mu ) = population mean
- ( n ) = number of values
This makes STDEVP appropriate when your dataset includes every relevant value.
Basic Examples
Population standard deviation of a range
=STDEVP(A1:A10)
Population standard deviation of multiple ranges
=STDEVP(A1:A10; C1:C10)
Population standard deviation of a list of values
=STDEVP(10; 25; 7; 99; 3)
Population standard deviation of dates
If A1:A5 contains dates:
=STDEVP(A1:A5)
Result: variability in days.
Advanced Examples
STDEVP across sheets
=STDEVP(Sheet1.A1:A100)
STDEVP with conditions (workaround)
OpenOffice Calc does not have STDEVPIF, but you can use:
=STDEVP(IF(A1:A100="North"; B1:B100))
Confirm with Ctrl+Shift+Enter.
STDEVP within a date range
=STDEVP(IF((A1:A100>=DATE(2025;1;1))*(A1:A100<=DATE(2025;12;31)); B1:B100))
Confirm with Ctrl+Shift+Enter.
STDEVP excluding zeros
=STDEVP(IF(A1:A100<>0; A1:A100))
Confirm with Ctrl+Shift+Enter.
STDEVP of filtered data
STDEVP does not ignore filtered rows.
Workaround:
=STDEVP(IF(SUBTOTAL(103; OFFSET(A1; ROW(A1:A100)-ROW(A1); 0)); A1:A100))
Confirm with Ctrl+Shift+Enter.
STDEVP in a 3D range
=STDEVP(Sheet1:Sheet5.A1:A10)
Common Errors and Fixes
STDEVP returns Err:502 (Invalid argument)
Occurs when:
- No numeric values exist
- All values are text or empty
- Imported numbers stored as text
Fix: Convert text to numbers:
Data → Text to Columns → OK
STDEVP returns 0 unexpectedly
Possible causes:
- All values are identical
- Only one numeric value exists
STDEVP includes values you expected it to ignore
STDEVP includes:
- Dates
- Times
- Numeric results of formulas
STDEVP excludes values you expected it to include
STDEVP 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 STDEVP for complete population datasets
- Use STDEV for sample datasets
- 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