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COVARIANCE.S Function
Summary
The COVARIANCE.S function calculates the sample covariance between two data sets, measuring how two variables change together. It returns the average of the products of paired deviations from their respective means.
Syntax
COVARIANCE.S(array1,array2)Parameters
| Parameter | Type | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| array1 | Array/Range |
Yes | Required first array or cell range containing numeric values |
| array2 | Array/Range |
Yes | Required second array or cell range containing numeric values |
Using the COVARIANCE.S Function
COVARIANCE.S is essential for statistical analysis in Excel, helping identify linear relationships between paired observations. Use it to understand if two variables tend to increase or decrease together.
Common COVARIANCE.S Examples
Array Input Example
=COVARIANCE.S({2,4,8},{5,11,12})Calculates sample covariance for directly entered data points, returning 9.666666667
Cell Range Example
=COVARIANCE.S(A3:A5,B3:B5)Same calculation using cell references instead of arrays, yielding identical result 9.666666667
Frequently Asked Questions
Common Errors and Solutions
#N/A error
Cause: Arrays have different numbers of data points
Solution: Ensure both arrays contain identical count of numeric values
#DIV/0! error
Cause: Either array is empty or has only one data point
Solution: Provide at least two data points in each array
#VALUE! error
Cause: Arguments contain incompatible data types
Solution: Use only numeric values or ranges containing numbers
Notes
- Positive result indicates variables move together
- Negative result shows inverse relationship
- Zero suggests no linear relationship
- Zeros in data are included in calculation
Compatibility
Available in: Excel 2010, Excel 2013, Excel 2016, Excel 2019, Excel 2021, Microsoft 365
Not available in: Excel 2007 and earlier
Content last reviewed: December 9, 2025
Update frequency: As needed
Excel versions tested: Excel 2010+