There are two main ways to calculate descriptive statistics in Excel:

Method 1: Using the Data Analysis ToolPak (DAT)

1. Enable the Data Analysis ToolPak (if not already enabled):
- Go to the "File" tab.
- Click on "Options" (or "Excel Options" depending on your version).
- In the Options window, navigate to the "Add-Ins" section.
- Select "Excel Add-ins" in the "Manage" dropdown and click "Go."
- In the Add-Ins window, check the box next to "Analysis ToolPak" and click "OK."

2. Run the Descriptive Statistics function:
- Go to the "Data" tab.
- In the "Analysis" group, click on "Data Analysis." (If "Data Analysis" is not visible, the DAT is not enabled.)
- In the "Analysis Tools" window, select "Descriptive Statistics" and click "OK."

3. Define the Input Range:
- Select the range of cells containing your data for which you want to calculate statistics.
- Make sure to include the header row if your data has labels.

4. Optional Settings:
- Check the box for "Labels in first row" if the first row contains column headers for your data.
- You can choose to place the summary statistics within your current worksheet or a new worksheet.

5. Click OK:
- Excel will calculate and display the descriptive statistics, including mean, median, mode, standard deviation, and other measures, in the chosen output location.

Method 2: Using Formulas

Excel also offers individual functions for calculating specific descriptive statistics:

* Mean: `AVERAGE(range)`
* Median: `MEDIAN(range)`
* Mode: No built-in function, but you can use workarounds with array formulas.
* Standard Deviation: `STDEV(range)`
* Variance: `VAR(range)`

Here's a quick breakdown of the benefits of each method:

* DAT: Easier for beginners, provides all statistics in one go.
* Formulas: More flexible for specific calculations, can be integrated into other formulas.

No matter which method you choose, remember to adjust the cell ranges accordingly for your data.