StandardDeviation (PQL)

Returns the mathematical Standard Deviation calculation across a list of numbers.

  • Returned Output: Numeric
  • Library: PQL \ Common \ Statistical
  • Version: 2018.00.000
  • Compatibility:
    • Can be combined with and other PQL function throughout the application.
    • It CANNOT be used with MDX or VBA functions. But it can be used on MDX-based content in other parts of the application.

Syntax

StandardDeviation( <Numeric List> )

or

StandardDeviation( <Numeric N> )

* Click on the function's arguments above for more details on the input values.

Comments
  • The list of numbers can be typed in as a comma delimited list or inserted via an array.
  • If the method is used in other parts of the application, the input parameters can be changed
    • In Model, the inputs can be column names - which means to find Standard Deviation values for those columns row by row
    • In Formulate, the inputs can be Data points, other functions or members
    • In the dynamic querying tools (like triggers, infographics and dynamic text), the inputs can be static values or other methods
Different Function types
  • This function is like the Excel STDEV function - calculating a Standard Deviation across a list of items.
  • If you wish to find the Standard Deviation for the elements in a specified SET or LIST from a hierarchy, use this semantic function.
  • Squaring the standard deviation result will return the statistical variance for the list of numbers.

Examples

This example simply averages the values 3 to 7 (returning 1.414)

StandardDeviation(3,4,5,6,7)

This example, using the same grid above, would return the standard deviation on all the values in column 2 (numbering is zero-based). The DataSetColumn function returns an array (list) of values from column 3 in the grid above.

StandardDeviation(dataSetColumn(2))

So it would average all items 23.89%, 23.59% etc all the way through to 22.52% (1.18%)