COVARIANCE.S in WPS on Windows FAQ

Last updated:July 20, 2026

This FAQ focuses on 3 common question types about COVARIANCE.S, including formula entry, argument ranges, and result checks, with a glossary for key terms.

FAQ

What should I do if COVARIANCE.S returns an error after I enter it?

  1. Check whether the formula starts with =.
  2. Check the function spelling, parentheses, and separators.
  3. Confirm that both argument ranges contain values that can be used in the calculation.
  4. If the two ranges contain different numbers of data points, adjust them and calculate again.

Why does the result look different from what I expected?

  1. Check whether the referenced ranges include the wrong cells.
  2. Confirm that you are using the sample covariance function COVARIANCE.S instead of another statistical function.
  3. Check whether the data includes text-formatted numbers or unusual values.
  4. After editing the data, review whether the result updates accordingly.

Can I use COVARIANCE.S together with other formulas?

  1. Yes. You can first complete the COVARIANCE.S calculation in a cell.
  2. Then use that result inside other statistical, logical, or display formulas.
  3. For more complex analysis, you can organize data sources with cross-sheet references.
  4. After that, check whether the full formula chain points to the correct cells.

Glossary

TermDefinition
COVARIANCE.SA statistical function used to calculate the covariance of sample data sets.
Sample covarianceA statistical value that describes whether two sample data sets tend to change together.
Argument rangeA cell range passed into a function for calculation.
Cross-sheet referenceA formula reference that points to cells or ranges in another worksheet.