Compact mode

SMALL vs DSTDEV vs DVAR

Table of content

Basic Classification Comparison
Usage Context Comparison
Basic Information Comparison
History Comparison
Facts Comparison

Usage Information Comparison
Technical Details Comparison
Evaluation Comparison
Ratings Comparison

Basic Classification Comparison

Function Category 📊

Primary classification of the Excel function based on its main purpose and usage domain, helps users quickly identify function types

For all*

Statistical

Excel functions for statistical analysis and calculations
Operation Type 🔧

Fundamental type of operation or action that the Excel function performs on its inputs

For all*

Calculation

Excel functions for performing various calculations

Usage Context Comparison

For whom 👥

Target user groups who would benefit most from using this Excel function

For all*

Data Analysts

Excel functions specifically designed for data analysis and interpretation
Statisticians

Excel functions designed for statistical analysis and probability calculations
Purpose 📝

Primary purposes and use cases of the Excel function

For all*

Statistical Analysis

Excel functions designed for statistical calculations and data analysis

Basic Information Comparison

Known For ⭐

Distinctive characteristic or primary strength of the Excel function

SMALL

Finding Nth Smallest Value

SMALL is known for Finding Nth Smallest Value.

DSTDEV

Database Standard Deviation

DSTDEV is known for Database Standard Deviation.

DVAR

Database Variance

DVAR is known for Database Variance.

History Comparison

Creation Date 📅

Original release date of the Excel function

SMALL

Excel 97

SMALL was created in Excel 97. Functions first available in Excel 97 version Click to see all.

DSTDEV

Excel 95

DSTDEV was created in Excel 95. Functions that came with Excel 95 release Click to see all.

DVAR

Excel 95

DVAR was created in Excel 95. Functions that came with Excel 95 release Click to see all.
Created By 👤

Organization or team responsible for developing the function

For all*

Microsoft Excel Team

Functions officially created by the Microsoft Excel development team

Facts Comparison

Interesting Fact 💡

Unique or lesser-known information about the Excel function

SMALL

Commonly used in grade calculations

DSTDEV

Most used in quality control

DVAR

Statisticians favorite database function
Sarcastic Fact 🤣

Humorous or ironic observation about the Excel function

SMALL

The underachiever of the statistical functions

DSTDEV

The deviation detective

DVAR

Makes variance feel important

Usage Information Comparison

Formula Complexity Level 📖

Indicates the difficulty level and complexity of using the Excel function effectively

SMALL

Simple

SMALL has a Simple complexity level. Basic Excel functions for common calculations and tasks Click to see all.

DSTDEV

Advanced

DSTDEV has a Advanced complexity level. Complex Excel functions for sophisticated calculations and operations Click to see all.

DVAR

Advanced

DVAR has a Advanced complexity level. Complex Excel functions for sophisticated calculations and operations Click to see all.

Technical Details Comparison

Input Data Type 📝

Types of data that the Excel function accepts as input parameters

For all*

Number

Excel functions specifically designed for numerical calculations
Array

Excel functions designed to work with arrays and ranges of data

DSTDEV

Range

DSTDEV accepts Range as input data. Excel functions that operate on cell ranges and data sets Click to see all.

DVAR

Range

DVAR accepts Range as input data. Excel functions that operate on cell ranges and data sets Click to see all.
Version Compatibility 💻

Indicates which Excel versions and platforms the function is compatible with < including Office 365< Excel 2019< 2016< etc.

For all*

Excel 2019

Excel functions that work specifically in Excel 2019 version

SMALL

Excel 2016

SMALL is compatible with Excel 2016 Excel functions that work specifically in Excel 2016 version Click to see all.

Excel 2013

SMALL is compatible with Excel 2013 Excel functions that work specifically in Excel 2013 version Click to see all.

DSTDEV

Excel 97

DSTDEV is compatible with Excel 97 Excel functions that work in the classic Excel 97 version Click to see all.

DVAR

Excel 97

DVAR is compatible with Excel 97 Excel functions that work in the classic Excel 97 version Click to see all.
Operating System 💾

Specifies the operating systems where the function can be used < including Windows< macOS< and web platforms

For all*

Windows

Excel functions optimized for Windows operating system
MacOS

Excel functions optimized for MacOS users
Required Arguments Count 🔢

Number of mandatory arguments needed for the function to work properly

SMALL

2

SMALL needs 2 required arguments Click to see all.

DSTDEV

3

DSTDEV needs 3 required arguments Click to see all.

DVAR

3

DVAR needs 3 required arguments Click to see all.
Required Arguments Type 📊

The data types accepted as valid input arguments for the function

For all*

Range

Excel functions that operate on cell ranges for calculations

SMALL

Number

SMALL accepts Number as input types Excel functions that perform calculations specifically with numerical inputs Click to see all.

DSTDEV

Text

DSTDEV accepts Text as input types Excel functions specialized in text string manipulation and processing Click to see all.

Criteria

DSTDEV accepts Criteria as input types Excel functions that use specific criteria for filtering and conditional operations Click to see all.

DVAR

Text

DVAR accepts Text as input types Excel functions specialized in text string manipulation and processing Click to see all.

Criteria

DVAR accepts Criteria as input types Excel functions that use specific criteria for filtering and conditional operations Click to see all.

Evaluation Comparison

Pros ✅

Key advantages and strengths of the Excel function

SMALL

Easy To Understand

Functions with clear and intuitive syntax that are simple to learn Click to see all.

Reliable Results

DSTDEV

Statistical Accuracy

Excel functions with high statistical accuracy ensure precise mathematical and analytical results Click to see all.

Database Filtering

Functions that filter and sort database-like data structures Click to see all.

Accurate Statistical Measure

Functions that provide accurate statistical calculations and metrics Click to see all.

Database Friendly

DVAR

Statistical Precision

Database Integration

Accurate Statistical Analysis

Database Compatible
Cons ❌

Limitations and potential drawbacks of the Excel function

SMALL

Array Size Limitations

Static Ranking

DSTDEV

Complex Implementation

Limited Use Cases

Limited Application

Complex Setup

DVAR

Limited Audience

Functions designed for particular user groups, reducing general usability Click to see all.

Complex Syntax

Complex For Beginners

Limited Use Cases

Ratings Comparison

Ease of Use Score 📊

User-rated score for function's ease of use

SMALL

8.5

User-rated score for function's ease of use (25%) Having high ease of use score means the function is more intuitive and user-friendly. Click to see all.

DSTDEV

5.5

User-rated score for function's ease of use (25%) Having high ease of use score means the function is more intuitive and user-friendly. Click to see all.

DVAR

5

User-rated score for function's ease of use (25%) Having high ease of use score means the function is more intuitive and user-friendly. Click to see all.
Versatility Score 📈

Rating for function's adaptability to different scenarios

SMALL

7

Rating for function's adaptability to different scenarios (25%) Functions with higher versatility scores can be used in more diverse scenarios and applications. Click to see all.

DSTDEV

6.5

Rating for function's adaptability to different scenarios (25%) Functions with higher versatility scores can be used in more diverse scenarios and applications. Click to see all.

DVAR

6.5

Rating for function's adaptability to different scenarios (25%) Functions with higher versatility scores can be used in more diverse scenarios and applications. Click to see all.
Performance Score ⚙

Rating for function's execution speed and efficiency

SMALL

8.5

Rating for function's execution speed and efficiency (25%) Functions with higher performance scores execute faster and use system resources more efficiently. Click to see all.

DSTDEV

8.8

Rating for function's execution speed and efficiency (25%) Functions with higher performance scores execute faster and use system resources more efficiently. Click to see all.

DVAR

8.8

Rating for function's execution speed and efficiency (25%) Functions with higher performance scores execute faster and use system resources more efficiently. Click to see all.
Reliability Score 🛠

Rating for function's consistency and error handling

For all*

9
Score ⭐

Overall rating combining all scoring attributes

SMALL

8.3

The overall score for SMALL is 8.3. Click to see all.

DSTDEV

7.5

The overall score for DSTDEV is 7.5. Click to see all.

DVAR

7.3

The overall score for DVAR is 7.3. Click to see all.

Alternatives to SMALL

Known for Population Variance

Known for Population Standard Deviation

Known for Database Product Calculation

Known for Database Min Value

📊 is easier to use than DSTDEV

⭐ is rated higher than DSTDEV

Known for Database Max Value

📊 is easier to use than DSTDEV

⭐ is rated higher than DSTDEV

Known for Single Value Retrieval

Known for Database Operations

📊 is easier to use than DSTDEV

📈 is more versatile than DSTDEV

⭐ is rated higher than DSTDEV

Known for Multiple Criteria Counting

📊 is easier to use than DSTDEV

📈 is more versatile than DSTDEV

⭐ is rated higher than DSTDEV

Known for Finding Nth Largest Value

📊 is easier to use than DSTDEV

📈 is more versatile than DSTDEV

⭐ is rated higher than DSTDEV

Known for Linear Trend Prediction

📊 is easier to use than DSTDEV

📈 is more versatile than DSTDEV

⭐ is rated higher than DSTDEV