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RSQ Function
Summary
The RSQ function in Excel calculates the square of the Pearson product moment correlation coefficient (r²) between two sets of data points. This value represents the proportion of variance in the dependent variable (y) explained by the independent variable (x), making it essential for regression analysis and statistical modeling.
Syntax
RSQ(known_y's, known_x's)Parameters
| Parameter | Type | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| known_y's | Array/Range |
Yes | Required array or range containing the dependent variable data points (y-values) used in the correlation calculation. |
| known_x's | Array/Range |
Yes | Required array or range containing the independent variable data points (x-values) used in the correlation calculation. |
Using the RSQ Function
Use RSQ to evaluate the strength of linear relationships between variables. Ideal for data analysts assessing regression model performance, researchers measuring correlation strength, and business professionals analyzing variable dependencies. Returns a value between 0 (no correlation) and 1 (perfect correlation).
Common RSQ Examples
Basic Correlation Analysis
=RSQ(A2:A8,B2:B8)Calculates R² for y-values in A2:A8 against x-values in B2:B8. Returns approximately 0.05795 for sample data showing weak correlation.
Sales vs Advertising Spend
=RSQ(B2:B13,C2:C13)Measures how well advertising budget (C2:C13) explains sales revenue (B2:B13). Higher values indicate better predictive power.
Temperature vs Ice Cream Sales
=RSQ(A2:A20,D2:D20)Analyzes correlation between temperature (A2:A20) and ice cream sales (D2:D20) to assess seasonal impact.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common Errors and Solutions
#N/A!
Cause: Arrays are empty or contain different numbers of data points
Solution: Ensure both ranges have identical count of numeric values
#DIV/0!
Cause: Both arrays contain only one data point
Solution: Use at least two data points for correlation calculation
#VALUE!
Cause: Arguments contain untranslatable text or error values
Solution: Clean data to contain only numbers or valid ranges
Notes
- RSQ returns r² where r is from the PEARSON function
- Value ranges from 0 to 1; closer to 1 indicates stronger linear relationship
- Zeros are treated as valid data points
- Directly typed logical values are counted in calculations
Compatibility
Available in: Excel 2007, Excel 2010, Excel 2013, Excel 2016, Excel 2019, Excel 2021, Excel 365, Excel Online
Not available in:
Content last reviewed: December 9, 2025
Update frequency: As needed
Excel versions tested: Excel 2007+