VARP Function (OpenOffice Calc)
The VARP function in OpenOffice Calc calculates the population variance 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 VARP function in OpenOffice Calc calculates the population variance, a core statistical measure that describes how spread out values are when your dataset represents the entire population, not just a sample. Variance is the square of standard deviation and is widely used in scientific analysis, finance, engineering, and quality control.
What the VARP Function Does
- Calculates population variance
- Measures how much values deviate from the population 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 VAR when working with a sample.
Syntax
VARP(number1; number2; ...)
Arguments:
- number1, number2, … — Individual values, cell references, or ranges
Statistical Meaning
VARP uses the population variance formula:
[ \sigma^2 = \frac{\sum (x_i - \mu)^2}{n} ]
Where:
- ( x_i ) = each value
- ( \mu ) = population mean
- ( n ) = number of values
This formula divides by n, making it appropriate for complete populations.
Basic Examples
Population variance of a range
=VARP(A1:A10)
Population variance of multiple ranges
=VARP(A1:A10; C1:C10)
Population variance of a list of values
=VARP(10; 25; 7; 99; 3)
Population variance of dates
If A1:A5 contains dates:
=VARP(A1:A5)
Result: variance in days.
Advanced Examples
VARP across sheets
=VARP(Sheet1.A1:A100)
VARP with conditions (workaround)
OpenOffice Calc does not have VARPIF, but you can use:
=VARP(IF(A1:A100="North"; B1:B100))
Confirm with Ctrl+Shift+Enter.
VARP within a date range
=VARP(IF((A1:A100>=DATE(2025;1;1))*(A1:A100<=DATE(2025;12:31)); B1:B100))
Confirm with Ctrl+Shift+Enter.
VARP excluding zeros
=VARP(IF(A1:A100<>0; A1:A100))
Confirm with Ctrl+Shift+Enter.
VARP of filtered data
VARP does not ignore filtered rows.
Workaround:
=VARP(IF(SUBTOTAL(103; OFFSET(A1; ROW(A1:A100)-ROW(A1); 0)); A1:A100))
Confirm with Ctrl+Shift+Enter.
VARP in a 3D range
=VARP(Sheet1:Sheet5.A1:A10)
Common Errors and Fixes
VARP 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
VARP returns 0 unexpectedly
Possible causes:
- All values are identical
- Only one numeric value exists
VARP includes values you expected it to ignore
VARP includes:
- Dates
- Times
- Numeric results of formulas
VARP excludes values you expected it to include
VARP 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 VARP for complete population datasets
- Use VAR for sample datasets
- Use array formulas for conditional variance
- Convert imported text numbers to real numbers
- Avoid mixing text and numbers in the same column
- Use named ranges for cleaner formulas
If you need the standard deviation instead, use STDEVP.