# Google Sheets STANDARDIZE Function: Syntax, Examples & Tips

- URL: https://betteranalyst.com/google-sheets/standardize-function
- Author: Better Analyst

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The STANDARDIZE function calculates a normalized value from a dataset, using the mean and standard deviation to adjust for scale.

```
STANDARDIZE(value, mean, standard_deviation)
```

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## Parameters

**`value`**:\
The numeric value that you want to standardize.

**`mean`**:\
The arithmetic mean (average) of the dataset from which the `value` is drawn.

**`standard_deviation`**:\
The standard deviation of the dataset from which the `value` is drawn.

## What is STANDARDIZE?

The *STANDARDIZE* function in Google Sheets is a statistical tool used to normalize a set of values by converting them into a standard score (z-score). This function is particularly useful in data analysis when you want to compare scores from different distributions or datasets. By standardizing your data, you can easily interpret how far a particular value is from the mean in terms of standard deviations.

In simpler terms, STANDARDIZE allows you to transform your data into a common scale, making it easier to analyze and compare.

## A Practical Example

Imagine you are analyzing test scores from two different classes:

### Class A Scores:

| StudentID | Score |
| - | - |
| 1 | 85 |
| 2 | 90 |
| 3 | 78 |

### Class B Scores:

| StudentID | Score |
| - | - |
| 1 | 70 |
| 2 | 88 |
| 3 | 95 |

You want to standardize the scores from both classes to see how each student performed relative to their class.

## STANDARDIZE Formula

To achieve this, you would use the STANDARDIZE function as follows:

```
=STANDARDIZE(A2, AVERAGE(ClassA!B:B), STDEV(ClassA!B:B))
```

In this formula:

- `A2` is the cell containing the Score you want to standardize.
- `AVERAGE(ClassA!B:B)` calculates the mean of the scores in Class A.
- `STDEV(ClassA!B:B)` calculates the standard deviation of the scores in Class A.

## Result of the Formula

When you apply the STANDARDIZE formula to the Class A scores, the output would look like this:

| StudentID | Score | Standardized Score |
| - | - | - |
| 1 | 85 | 0.58 |
| 2 | 90 | 1.16 |
| 3 | 78 | -0.58 |

If you were to standardize the scores from Class B using a similar formula, the result would be:

| StudentID | Score | Standardized Score |
| - | - | - |
| 1 | 70 | -1.16 |
| 2 | 88 | 0.58 |
| 3 | 95 | 1.16 |

## Why Use STANDARDIZE?

STANDARDIZE is beneficial because it allows for a clear comparison of scores from different distributions. By converting raw scores into z-scores, you can easily identify how well a student performed relative to their peers. This is particularly useful in educational assessments, performance evaluations, and any scenario where comparing different datasets is necessary.

## Key Takeaways:

- **STANDARDIZE**: A function that converts raw scores into standard scores (z-scores).
- **Comparison**: Enables comparison of scores from different distributions on a common scale.
- **Statistical Insight**: Provides insight into how far a score is from the mean in terms of standard deviations.
- **Common Use Cases**: Ideal for educational assessments, performance evaluations, and statistical analysis.

STANDARDIZE is an essential function for anyone working with data analysis, providing a powerful way to enhance the interpretation of scores and performance metrics.

Happy analyzing!

## Example use case

You have a dataset of test scores in Column A and their corresponding mean and standard deviation in Columns B and C. Use the STANDARDIZE formula to calculate the z-scores for each test score, allowing for easy comparison of performance across different tests.

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