Compatibility - VAR Function

The VAR function replaces the VAR.S function in Excel 2010.

Description

The function estimates variance based on a sample.

VAR (number1,[number2],...)

Argument	Description	Required/ Optional
Number1	The first number argument corresponding to a sample of a population.	Required
Number2, ...	Number arguments 2 to 255 corresponding to a sample of a population.	Optional

VAR uses the following formula −

$$\frac{\sum(x-\bar{x})^2}{(n-1)}$$
Where x is the sample mean AVERAGE (number1,number2,…) and n is the sample size.
VAR assumes that its arguments are a sample of the population. If your data represents the entire population, then compute the variance by using VARP.
Arguments can be either numbers or names, arrays, or references that contain numbers.
Logical values and text representations of numbers that you type directly into the list of arguments are counted.
If an argument is an array or reference, only numbers in that array or reference are counted. Empty cells, logical values, text, or error values in the array or reference are ignored.
If you want to include logical values and text representations of numbers in a reference as part of the calculation, use the VARA function.
Arguments that are error values or text that cannot be translated into numbers cause errors.

advanced_excel_compatibility_functions.htm