You can use the DVar and DVarP functions to estimate variance across a set of values in a specified set of records (domain). Use DVar and DVarP in a macro or module, in a query expression, or in a calculated control on a form or report.
Use DVarP to evaluate variance across a population, and DVar to evaluate variance across a population sample.
For example, you could use the DVar function to calculate the variance across a set of students’ test scores.
DVar(expr, domain[, criteria])DVarP(expr, domain[, criteria])
The DVar and DVarP functions use the following arguments.
| Argument | Description |
| expr | Expression that identifies the numeric field on which you want to find the variance. It can be a string expression identifying a field from a table or query, or it can be an expression that performs a calculation on data in that field. You can include in expr the name of a table field, a control on a form, a constant, or a function. If expr includes a function, it can be either built-in or user-defined, but not another domain aggregate or SQL aggregate function. Any field included in expr must be a numeric field. |
| domain | String expression identifying the set of records that constitutes the domain. It can be a table name or a query name. |
| criteria | Optional string expression used to restrict the range of data on which DVar or DVarP is performed. For example, criteria is often equivalent to the WHERE clause in an SQL expression, without the word WHERE. If criteria is omitted, DVar and DVarP evaluate expr against the entire domain. Any field included in criteria must also be a field in domain; otherwise DVar and DVarP return a Null. |
DVar and DVarP find the variance of a set of values defined by expr in the table or query referred to by domain, according to any restrictions specified by criteria.
If domain refers to fewer than two records or if fewer than two records satisfy criteria, DVar and DVarP return a Null, indicating that a variance can’t be calculated.
Whether you use DVar or DVarP in a macro or module, a query expression, or a calculated control, you must construct the criteria argument carefully to ensure that it will be evaluated correctly.
You can use DVar and DVarP to specify criteria in the Criteria row of a select query; in a calculated field expression in a query; or in the Update To row of an update query.
Note You can use DVar and DVarP or Var and VarP in a calculated field expression in a totals query. If you use DVar or DVarP, values are calculated before data is grouped. If you use Var or VarP, the data is grouped before values in the field expression are evaluated.
Use DVar and DVarP in a calculated control when you need to specify criteria to restrict the range of data on which the function is performed. For example, to display a variance for orders to be shipped to California, set the ControlSource property of a text box to the following expression.
= DVar("[Freight]", "Orders", "[ShipRegion] = 'CA'")
If you simply want to find the standard deviation across all records in domain, use the Var or VarP function.
Note Unsaved changes to records in domain are not included when you use these functions. If you want the DVar or DVarP function to be based on the changed values, you must first save the changes by choosing the Save Record command from the File menu, moving the focus to another record, or using the Update method.
Domain Aggregate Functions.
This example returns estimates of the variance for a population and a population sample for orders shipped to the United Kingdom. The domain is an Orders table. The criteria argument restricts the resulting set of records to those for which ShipCountry equals UK.
Dim dblX As Double, dblY As Double
' Sample estimate.= DVar("[Freight]", "Orders", "[ShipCountry] = 'UK'")
' Population estimate.= DVarP("[Freight]", "Orders", "[ShipCountry] = 'UK'")
The next example returns estimates using a variable, strCountry, in the criteria argument. Note that single quotation marks (') are included in the string expression, so that when the strings are concatenated, the string literal UK will be enclosed in single quotation marks.
Dim strCountry As String, dblX As Double= "UK"= DVar("[Freight]", "Orders", "[ShipCountry] = '" _
& strCountry & "'")