• Skip to main content
  • Skip to header right navigation
  • Skip to site footer

Excelypedia

The Excel Encyclopedia of The Internet

  • Tutorials
  • Functions
  • Formulas
  • Templates

Coefficient of Variation

April 9, 2021 by Andrew Childress
Coefficient of variation in Excel

The coefficient of variation (CV) helps you tell how far your data is dispersed around the mean. Heres how to find the coefficient of variation in Microsoft Excel.

The coefficient of variation (CV) helps you tell how far your data is dispersed around the mean. The formula is simple. The standard deviation is divided by the mean to find CV. Let’s learn how to find the coefficient of variation in Microsoft Excel.

How to Find the Coefficient of Variation in Excel

Consider a sample data set like this. You want to find the coefficient of variation to determine the precision of an estimate. A higher CV suggests less precision; a lower CV suggests greater precision.

The first step is to find the CV formula’s two inputs: the sample standard deviation, and the sample mean. 

Click into cell C1, and type = to begin a formula. Since we’re using sample data, type in the formula STDEV.S. Add (, then click and drag to highlight the column of data. Here,  that’s cells A2:A5.

Coefficient of variation in Excel

Close the formula with ), then press Enter. Cell C1 populates with your sample standard deviation.

Hint: If you’re working with a population, the formula would be STDEV.P.

Now, click in cell C2. Type =AVERAGE(, then highlight your data again. Once again, conclude the formula with ), then hit Enter. You now have the average (or the mean) of your data.

Find CV in Excel

Cell C3 will be home to your coefficient of variation (CV). Click into it, and type =. Then, click on cell C2, type /, and click on cell C1. This is your CV formula.

CV in Excel

Hit Enter again, and Excel will display your coefficient of variation. It’s worth noting that the CV is typically displayed as a percentage.

To format it this way, first ensure you have the cell collected. On Excel’s Home tab, just below Number Format, click the Percent Style button. Your CV will now be formatted as a percentage.

Coefficient of variation Excel

As you can see, it’s easy to find the coefficient of variation in Excel. Formulas make it effortless and help keep your analysis moving quickly.

Category: Excel FormulasTag: Excel, How To, Instructions, Tutorial

About Andrew Childress

Previous Post: « Degree symbols Excel Degree Symbol in Excel
Next Post: Confidence Intervals in Excel Excel confidence intervals »

Sidebar

Recent Posts

  • Format Cell Alignment in Excel
  • Default Width in Excel
  • Translate in Excel
  • Switch Windows in Excel
  • EXACT in Excel

Categories

  • Basics
  • Examples
  • Excel Formulas
  • Excel Functions
  • Excel Shortcuts
  • Excel Templates
  • Excel Tutorials
  • Uncategorized

Excelypedia

Master Excel to add a highly valuable asset to your employability portfolio. Learn how to analyze data in Excel.

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube

Learn

  • Functions
  • Formulas
  • Shortcuts

Legal

  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms & Conditions

Help

  • FAQ
  • Contact Us

Copyright © 2023 · Excelypedia · All Rights Reserved

Back to top