# Excel STANDARDIZE Function: Syntax, Examples & Tips - URL: https://betteranalyst.com/excel/standardize-function - Author: Better Analyst Formula Bot is now Better Analyst—same account, more powerful analysis.Formula Bot is now Better Analyst—same account and workflows, with more powerful analysis, dashboards, and automation. [Learn what changed](https://betteranalyst.com/formula-bot-is-now-better-analyst) The STANDARDIZE function calculates a normalized value of a data point using its mean and standard deviation for comparison. ```excel =STANDARDIZE(x, mean, standard_dev) ``` Generate FormulaExplain Formula One free generation or explanation per browser, shared across Excel and Google Sheets. Account usage limits apply afterward. Describe the STANDARDIZE you need in plain EnglishGenerate Formula Need more than a single STANDARDIZE formula? Try our free [AI for Excel](https://betteranalyst.com/excel-ai) — it reads your entire spreadsheet, answers questions in plain English, and builds charts and analysis in the same chat. ## Parameters **`x`**:\ The value you want to standardize. **`mean`**:\ The arithmetic mean of the distribution you are standardizing against. **`standard_dev`**:\ The standard deviation of the distribution you are standardizing against. ## What is a STANDARDIZE Formula in Excel? The *STANDARDIZE* function in Excel is a statistical tool that allows you to calculate the standardized value (z-score) of a given number based on a specified mean and standard deviation. This function is particularly useful in data analysis, as it helps to understand how far a particular value is from the mean in terms of standard deviations. In simpler terms, the STANDARDIZE function helps you normalize data, making it easier to compare values from different datasets or distributions. ## A Practical Example Imagine you are analyzing test scores for a group of students, and you have the following data in an Excel spreadsheet: ### Test Scores Table: | Student | Test Score | | - | - | | Alice | 85 | | Bob | 90 | | Charlie | 78 | | David | 92 | | Eve | 88 | You want to find the standardized score for Alice's test score of 85, given that the mean score is 86 and the standard deviation is 4. ## STANDARDIZE Formula To calculate the standardized score for Alice, you would use the STANDARDIZE formula as follows: ```excel =STANDARDIZE(85, 86, 4) ``` ### Breakdown of the Formula: - **85**: This is the value you want to standardize (Alice's test score). - **86**: This is the mean of the dataset (average test score). - **4**: This is the standard deviation of the dataset. ## Result of the Formula When you apply the formula, it calculates the standardized score for Alice. The output would be: | Standardized Score for Alice | | - | | -0.25 | Here, the standardized score indicates that Alice's test score is 0.25 standard deviations below the mean. ## Why Use STANDARDIZE? The STANDARDIZE function is particularly useful when you need to compare scores or values from different distributions or datasets. It allows you to understand how individual values relate to the overall dataset, making it easier to identify outliers or trends. ## Key Takeaways: - **STANDARDIZE**: Calculates the standardized value (z-score) of a number based on a specified mean and standard deviation. - **Data Normalization**: Helps to compare values from different datasets or distributions. - **Common Use Cases**: Ideal for statistical analysis, performance evaluation, and any scenario where you need to understand relative positions of values within a dataset. Understanding how to use the STANDARDIZE function can significantly enhance your data analysis capabilities in Excel, enabling you to extract meaningful insights from your datasets. Happy analyzing! ## Example use case You have a dataset where Column A contains test scores of students in a class, and you want to analyze how each student's score compares to the class average. You can use the STANDARDIZE function to calculate the standardized score (z-score) for each student. This allows you to understand how well each student performed relative to their peers, facilitating targeted interventions for those who may need additional support or recognizing high achievers without the need for complex statistical analysis. **Beyond the STANDARDIZE function:** Better Analyst is a full [Excel AI](https://betteranalyst.com/excel-ai) that goes well past individual formulas. Upload any spreadsheet and ask questions in plain English — you'll get formulas, data analysis, and charts back in seconds. It's a free [AI Excel assistant](https://betteranalyst.com/excel-ai) that works with any .xlsx, .xls, or .csv file — no plugins, no Microsoft 365 required. Don't have a spreadsheet yet? Use our free [AI spreadsheet generator](https://betteranalyst.com/ai-excel-spreadsheet-generator) to turn a text prompt into a downloadable Excel file — a full [AI Excel sheet maker](https://betteranalyst.com/ai-excel-spreadsheet-generator) that builds headers, columns, and formulas from your description. ## Need more help with Excel formulas? Create a free account for formula help, explanations, and spreadsheet analysis. Usage limits depend on your plan. [Create Free Account](https://betteranalyst.com/signup)[Try Formula Generator](https://betteranalyst.com/excel-ai) ## Excel how-to guides - [How To Highlight Duplicates In Excel](https://betteranalyst.com/excel/how-to-highlight-duplicates-in-excel) - [How To Insert Checkbox In Excel](https://betteranalyst.com/excel/how-to-insert-checkbox-in-excel) - [How To Insert Multiple Rows In Excel](https://betteranalyst.com/excel/how-to-insert-multiple-rows-in-excel) - [How To Lock A Row In Excel](https://betteranalyst.com/excel/how-to-lock-a-row-in-excel) - [How To Lock Cells In Excel](https://betteranalyst.com/excel/how-to-lock-cells-in-excel) - [How To Make A Copy Of An Excel Sheet](https://betteranalyst.com/excel/how-to-make-a-copy-of-an-excel-sheet) - [How To Make A Graph In Excel](https://betteranalyst.com/excel/how-to-make-a-graph-in-excel) - [How To Make A Histogram In Excel](https://betteranalyst.com/excel/how-to-make-a-histogram-in-excel) ## Explore all Excel formulas Browse our complete library of Excel formula guides Compare your options ## Decide with evidence, not a sales pitch. Open a neutral research prompt in the AI tool you already use. Compare capabilities, limitations, and fit before you choose. 1. [01ChatGPTOpen a balanced comparison prompt in ChatGPT.](https://chatgpt.com/?prompt=Compare%20Better%20Analyst%20with%20using%20a%20general-purpose%20AI%20assistant%20for%20data%20analysis.%20Evaluate%20spreadsheet%20and%20document%20analysis%2C%20dashboards%2C%20repeatable%20reports%2C%20code%20transparency%2C%20data%20connections%2C%20pricing%2C%20and%20limitations.%20Use%20current%20public%20sources%2C%20distinguish%20verified%20facts%20from%20assumptions%2C%20and%20explain%20which%20types%20of%20users%20each%20option%20fits%20best.) 2. [02ClaudeOpen the same research prompt in Claude.](https://claude.ai/new?q=Compare%20Better%20Analyst%20with%20using%20a%20general-purpose%20AI%20assistant%20for%20data%20analysis.%20Evaluate%20spreadsheet%20and%20document%20analysis%2C%20dashboards%2C%20repeatable%20reports%2C%20code%20transparency%2C%20data%20connections%2C%20pricing%2C%20and%20limitations.%20Use%20current%20public%20sources%2C%20distinguish%20verified%20facts%20from%20assumptions%2C%20and%20explain%20which%20types%20of%20users%20each%20option%20fits%20best.) 3. [03PerplexityResearch the comparison with linked web sources.](https://www.perplexity.ai/search?q=Compare%20Better%20Analyst%20with%20using%20a%20general-purpose%20AI%20assistant%20for%20data%20analysis.%20Evaluate%20spreadsheet%20and%20document%20analysis%2C%20dashboards%2C%20repeatable%20reports%2C%20code%20transparency%2C%20data%20connections%2C%20pricing%2C%20and%20limitations.%20Use%20current%20public%20sources%2C%20distinguish%20verified%20facts%20from%20assumptions%2C%20and%20explain%20which%20types%20of%20users%20each%20option%20fits%20best.) AI answers can be incomplete. Check source links, current pricing, and product documentation before deciding.