Review 3 common questions about COVARIANCE.S, including formula errors, function guidance, and unexpected results.
FAQ
What should I do if COVARIANCE.S shows an error after I enter it?
- Check whether the formula starts with
=. - Confirm that the parentheses, separators, and number of arguments are correct.
- Review the referenced ranges for content that cannot be used in the calculation.
- Press Enter again after making corrections.
How can I view guidance for the COVARIANCE.S function?
- Type
=COVARIANCE.S(in a cell. - Look at the function hint shown in the editing area.
- Use the hint to confirm the required argument order.
What should I do if the COVARIANCE.S result looks incorrect?
- Check whether referenced cells contain numbers stored as text.
- Confirm that the two data ranges correspond correctly and contain a reasonable sample size.
- Review the formula for circular references or incorrect references.
- Update the data and check whether the result changes as expected.
Glossary
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| COVARIANCE.S | A statistical function used to calculate sample covariance. |
| Cross-sheet reference | A formula reference to a cell or range on another worksheet. |
| Nested formula | A formula that includes another function or expression inside it. |
| Automatic recalculation | Formula results refresh automatically when referenced data changes. |