How to Calculate Uncertainty in Excel (3 Effective Ways)

Method 1 – Using the Uncertainty Formula

We have a set of readings of a certain parameter. We are going to determine the uncertainty of the readings.

Steps:

• Choose the C12 cell and enter:

• Hit Enter.
• We will get the average of the readings.

• Click on the C13 cell and insert:

• Press Enter.
• We will get the number of readings.

• Select the C5 cell and insert:

• Click on Enter.

• Drag the fill handle down to Autofill.

• Click on the D5 cell and insert:

• Press the Enter button.
• We will get the square of the previously obtained value.

• Autofill down.

• Choose the F5 cell and enter the following formula:

• Press Enter.
• We will get the uncertainty value for the dataset.

Read More: How to Calculate Standard Deviation of y Intercept in Excel

Method 2 – Using the STDEV.S Function

We will use the same dataset.

Steps:

• Choose the C12 cell and enter:

• Press Enter.
• We will get the Standard Deviation of the dataset.

• Click on the C13 cell and insert”

• Hit Enter.
• We will get the uncertainty of the dataset.

Read More: How to Calculate Population Standard Deviation in Excel

Method 3 – Calculating Absolute and Percentage Uncertainty

We have the readings of the concentration of a certain chemical. There are 5 readings, and each reading has been taken three times with each test time recorded. We will calculate the absolute and percentage uncertainty of the test times.

Steps:

• Click on the F5 cell and insert the following:

• Press the Enter button.
• We will get the average of the 3 test times.

• Autofill the column.

• Choose the G5 cell and insert:

• Hit the Enter button.
• We will get the absolute uncertainty of the test times.

• Autofill down.

• Select the H5 cell and enter the following formula:

• Press Enter.
• We will get the percentage uncertainty of the test times.

• Autofill down.

Read More: How to Calculate Standard Deviation with IF Conditions in Excel

Download the Practice Workbook

Related Articles

• How to Calculate Standard Deviation of a Frequency Distribution in Excel
• Calculate Percentile from Mean and Standard Deviation in Excel
• How to Calculate Mean and Standard Deviation in Excel

<< Go Back to Standard Deviation Formula in Excel | Excel for Statistics | Learn Excel