You can use the DVar and DVarP functions to estimate variance across a set of values in a specified set of records (a domain). Use the DVar and DVarP functions in Visual Basic, a macro, a query expression, or a calculated control on a form or report.
Use the DVarP function to evaluate variance across a population, and the DVar function 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.
Syntax
DVar(expr, domain[, criteria])
DVarP(expr, domain[, criteria])
The DVar and DVarP functions have the following arguments.
| Argument | Description |
|---|---|
| expr | An 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. In expr, you can include the name field in a table, 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 | A string expression identifying the set of records that constitutes the domain. It can be a table name or a query name. |
| criteria | An optional string expression used to restrict the range of data on which the DVar or DVarP function is performed. For example, criteria is often equivalent to the WHERE clause in an SQL expression, without the word WHERE. If criteria is omitted, the DVar and DVarP functions evaluate expr against the entire domain. Any field that is included in criteria must also be a field in domain; otherwise the DVar and DVarP functions return a Null. |
Remarks
If domain refers to fewer than two records or if fewer than two records satisfy criteria, the DVar and DVarP functions return a Null, indicating that a variance can't be calculated.
Whether you use the DVar or DVarP function in a macro, module, query expression, or calculated control, you must construct the criteria argument carefully to ensure that it will be evaluated correctly.
You can use the DVar and DVarP function 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 the DVar and DVarP functions or the Var and VarP functions in a calculated field expression in a totals query. If you use the DVar or DVarP function, values are calculated before data is grouped. If you use the Var or VarP function, the data is grouped before values in the field expression are evaluated.
Use the DVar and DVarP functions 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 clicking Save Record on the File menu, moving the focus to another record, or by using the Update method.