What Are Statistical Functions In Excel?

When working with data in Excel, knowing statistical functions can significantly boost your ability to analyze and interpret information accurately. Excel offers a wide range of built-in statistical tools that help you summarize data, calculate averages, measure variability, and uncover trends with ease.

This comprehensive 2025 guide will take you through the most important statistical functions in Excel, showing you how to apply them effectively to make data-driven decisions confidently and efficiently.

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Statistical Functions in Excel

In Microsoft Excel, a wide range of functions related to statistics is present, like mean, median, mode, etc. Apart from these, Excel also provides a wide array of beneficial and important statistical functions. Some of the fundamental statistical functions are often used in Data Science.

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Here is a list of some of the most integral statistical functions used in Excel:

1. COUNT function in Excel

The COUNT function is used for counting the number of cells that have a number. This function solely counts the number. 

Syntax:

= COUNT(value1, [value2], ...)

Example: The COUNT function in Excel counts how many cells in a range contain numbers. For example, if you have the values 10, 25, "Text", 40, and a blank cell in cells A2 to A6, the formula =COUNT(A2:A6) will return 3 because there are three numeric values (10, 25, and 40). It ignores text and empty cells.

Also check out these 60 Advanced Excel Formulas to take your data analysis skills to the next level!

2. COUNTA function In Excel

This function is used for counting everything. Apart from the number within the cell, it will count any information, including error values and empty text.

Syntax:

= COUNTA(value1, [value2], ...)

Example: The COUNTA function in Excel counts all cells in a range that contain any type of data — numbers, text, error values, or even empty text strings (""). For example, if cells A2 to A6 contain 10, 25, "Text", 40, and a blank cell, the formula =COUNTA(A2:A6) will return 4 because it counts every non-empty cell, including text and numbers. Unlike COUNT, it does not ignore text or error values.

Also Read: Excel Tutorial for Beginners: Learn the Basics Step by Step

3. COUNTBLANK function In Excel

The COUNTBLANK function solely counts empty or blank cells. 

Syntax: 

= COUNTBLANK(range)

Example: The COUNTBLANK function in Excel counts how many cells in a range are empty or blank. For example, if cells A2 to A6 contain 10, "", "Text", (blank), and 40, the formula =COUNTBLANK(A2:A6) will return 2 because there are two blank cells (one is an empty text "", and one is completely empty).

Also Read: 60 Advanced Excel Formulas to Boost Professional Efficiency

4. COUNTIFS function In Excel

This is the most used statistical function in Excel that works on one or multiple conditions in a specific range and counts the cell(s) that meet the said condition.

Syntax:

= COUNTIFS (range1, criteria1, [range2]

Example: The COUNTIFS function counts how many cells meet multiple conditions across one or more ranges. For example, if you want to count employees who work in the Sales department and are older than 30, the formula will check both the department and age columns and count only the rows that match both criteria. If there are two such employees, the formula will return 2.

Also Read: Top 15 Ways to Improve Excel Skills [Actionable Tips]

5. STANDARD DEVIATION Function In Excel

The STANDARD DEVIATION Function in Excel calculates the observed value that’s deviated or varied from the average. It is the most commonly used statistical function in Excel. 

Syntax: 

= STDEV.P(number1,[number2],...)

Example: The STDEV.P function in Excel calculates how much the numbers in a dataset vary or deviate from the average (mean). It gives you a measure of the spread or dispersion of the data. For example, if you have the numbers 10, 12, 14, 16, and 18, using the formula =STDEV.P(A2:A6) will calculate the standard deviation of these values, showing how spread out they are around the average.

Also Read: Top 60 Excel Shortcuts | Excel Shortcut Keys

6. VARIANCE function In Excel

The Variance function is used for determining the degree of variation present in a data set. More data is spreading, leading to more variance. 

Syntax:

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

Example: The VAR function in Excel measures how much the numbers in a data set vary from the average. A higher variance means the data points are more spread out. For example, if you have values 10, 12, 14, 16, and 18 in cells A2 to A6, the formula =VAR(A2:A6) will calculate the variance, showing the overall spread of these numbers around their average.

Also Read: 40 Essential Excel Tools & Formulas for Data Management

7. QUARTILES function In Excel

Quartiles can divide data into four parts. Akin to the median function that divides data into two equal parts. This function returns the quartiles of a particular dataset, along with the first, second, and third quartiles and the minimum and max values. 

Syntax: 

= QUARTILE (array, quart)

Example: The QUARTILE function in Excel divides a dataset into four equal parts to help you understand data distribution. For instance, if you have numbers in cells A2 to A10, using the formula =QUARTILE(A2:A10, 2) will return the median (second quartile) of that dataset, showing the middle value that divides the data into two equal halves. You can also use different quart values to get the minimum, first quartile, third quartile, or maximum.

Also Read: What is Macros in Excel? How to add, Examples and uses

8. CORRELATION function In Excel

This Excel function determines the connection between the two variables. Data analysts primarily use this function for studying data thoroughly. Remember that the CORRELATION coefficient range is situated between -1 to +1.

Syntax:

= CORREL(array1, array2)

Example: The CORREL function in Excel measures the relationship between two sets of data, showing how closely they move together. For example, if you have sales figures in cells A2 to A10 and advertising spend in cells B2 to B10, the formula =CORREL(A2:A10, B2:B10) will return a number between -1 and +1.

This indicates the strength and direction of the correlation between sales and advertising. A value close to +1 means a strong positive correlation, while a value near -1 indicates a strong negative correlation.

Also Read: Top 15 Must Know Statistical Functions in Excel For Beginners

9. MAX function In Excel

This function returns the highest numeric value present in a given data set or array.

Syntax: 

= MAX (number1, [number2], ...)

Example: The MAX function in Excel returns the largest number in a range of cells. For example, if you have the numbers 10, 25, 40, 15, and 30 in cells A2 to A6, the formula =MAX(A2:A6) will return 40, which is the highest value in that dataset.

Also Read: Ribbon in Excel: A Comprehensive Guide to Explore in 2025

10. MIN function In Excel

The MIN function is the exact opposite of the MAX function in Excel. It returns the smallest numeric value in a given data set or array.

Syntax: 

= MAX (number1, [number2], ...)

Example: The MIN function in Excel returns the smallest number in a range of cells. For example, if you have the numbers 10, 25, 40, 15, and 30 in cells A2 to A6, the formula =MIN(A2:A6) will return 10, which is the lowest value in that dataset.

Also Read: Top 50 Excel Shortcuts That Will Transform the Way You Work

11. LARGE function  In Excel

The LARGE function in Excel is almost identical to the MAX function. They are different because they return the nth largest value in a specific data set or array. 

Syntax: 

= LARGE (array, k)

Example: The LARGE function in Excel returns the nth largest value from a data set. For example, if you have the numbers 10, 25, 40, 15, and 30 in cells A2 to A6, the formula =LARGE(A2:A6, 2) will return 30, which is the second largest value in that range.

Also Read: Learn How to Create a Project Plan in Excel 2025 | Step-by-Step Guide

12. SMALL function  In Excel

In Excel, the SMALL function is like the MIN function. It returns the smallest numeric value in a specific data set or array. The only difference is that it returns the smallest nth value in a given data set or array.

Syntax: 

= SMALL (array, k)

Example: The SMALL function in Excel returns the nth smallest value from a dataset. For example, if you have the numbers 10, 25, 40, 15, and 30 in cells A2 to A6, the formula =SMALL(A2:A6, 2) will return 15, which is the second smallest value in that range.

Also Read: What is Excel MIS Report? Definition, Types, How to Create?

13. MEAN Calculation In Excel

The MEAN formula in Excel is one of the most commonly used statistical functions that can add all numbers in a dataset and divide by the number of points combined.

Syntax:

=AVERAGE (array of numbers)

Example: The AVERAGE function in Excel calculates the mean (average) of a set of numbers by adding all the values and dividing by the total count. For example, if cells A2 to A6 contain the numbers 10, 25, 40, 15, and 30, the formula =AVERAGE(A2:A6) will return 24, which is the mean of these values.

Also Read: What is VLOOKUP in Excel? How to use VLOOKUP in Excel?

14. MEDIAN function in Excel

The MEDIAN statistical function in Excel is used whenever an even amount of numbers are present in the dataset. It is additionally used for calculating the average of the two middle numbers. 

Syntax: 

=MEDIAN (array of numbers) 

Example: The MEDIAN function in Excel finds the middle value in a dataset when the numbers are arranged in order. If there is an even number of values, it calculates the average of the two middle numbers. For example, if cells A2 to A7 contain 10, 25, 40, 15, 30, and 20, the formula =MEDIAN(A2:A7) will return 22.5, which is the average of the two middle numbers (20 and 25).

Also Read: What is Excel VBA? Explained with Real Time Examples

15. MODE function in Excel

The MODE function in Excel returns the most commonly recurring number in any numeric dataset.

Syntax: 

=MODE (number1, [number2], ...)

Example: The MODE function in Excel returns the number that appears most frequently in a dataset. For example, if cells A2 to A7 contain the numbers 10, 25, 40, 25, 30, and 25, the formula =MODE(A2:A7) will return 25, since it is the most common number in that range.

Also Read: What is SUMPRODUCT in Excel: Complete Guide

Now that you’re familiar with the common statistical functions in Excel, let’s see why they are important.

What Do Statistical Functions in Excel Do?

Statistical functions in Excel are powerful built-in formulas designed to help you analyze and understand your data more effectively. They perform a variety of calculations that summarize data characteristics, measure variability, identify patterns, and reveal relationships within your dataset. 

For example, functions like AVERAGE and MEDIAN help you find the central tendency of your data, showing typical or middle values, while functions such as STDEV (standard deviation) and VAR (variance) measure how spread out your data points are. Other functions like CORREL analyze the relationship between two sets of data, helping you understand how variables interact.

Statistical functions also allow you to count or sum values based on specific criteria, locate extreme values using MAX and MIN, and break down your data distribution through percentiles and quartiles. These tools are essential for tasks ranging from simple summaries to complex statistical modeling, all within the familiar Excel environment.

Using Excel’s statistical functions, you can:

• Summarize large datasets with measures of central tendency (mean, median, mode).
• Assess data variability and consistency through standard deviation and variance.
• Explore relationships between variables using correlation and regression tools.
• Identify trends, outliers, and patterns to support forecasting and analysis.
• Filter and calculate data conditionally with functions like COUNTIF and SUMIF.
• Divide data into segments to understand distribution using quartiles and percentiles.

By applying these functions, you can transform raw numbers into actionable insights, making data analysis simpler, faster, and more reliable.

Also Read: How to use MATCH Functions in Excel?

Here are some Excel Statistical Functions with examples:

• Consider a dataset with sales data in column A. You wish to calculate the average sales for this dataset. Use the formula “=AVERAGE(A1:A10)” to use the AVERAGE function.
• Use the CORREL function to get the correlation coefficient between two pieces of data, such as revenue and advertising spending: “=CORREL(A1:A10, B1:B10)”.
• The PERCENTILE function can be used to find the 75th percentile of a dataset in column C: “=PERCENTILE(C1:C10, 0.75)”.

Also Read: Statistics & Data Analysis: A Beginner's Guide

How Can upGrad Help You Learn Advanced Excel Functions?

Microsoft Excel is the most commonly used spreadsheet tool for mathematical and statistical calculations. It is used for charting and presenting data, financial forecasting, budget planning, etc. The statistical tools in Excel provide a simple and effective approach to statistical analysis, making it a vital tool for professionals in a variety of fields.

Here are some of the additional upGrad courses  (including free ones)  to support your Excel learning journey:

• Introduction to Data Analysis using Excel
• Analyzing Patterns in Data and Storytelling
• Basics of Inferential Statistics
• Introduction to Tableau
• Case Study using Tableau, Python and SQL

For personalized career guidance, contact upGrad’s counselors or visit a nearby upGrad career center. With expert support and an industry-focused curriculum, you'll be prepared to tackle data analysis challenges and advance your career.

References:
https://electroiq.com/stats/microsoft-365-statistics/