How to Use Excel's Average Function

Excel's Average function returns the arithmetic mean of its arguments. In mathematics, an average may be any measure of central tendency. In common use, however, the term "average" usually refers to the arithmetic mean. The following steps will show how to use Excel's Average function.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Learn the syntax of Average. It is Average (value_1,value_2,…,value_n) where value_1,value_2,…,value_n are 1 to 30 arguments. They may be arrays, names or references that contain numbers. Logical values and text representations of numbers also may be entered directly into the argument list.
2. Evaluate nonnumeric values. True is evaluated as 1 and False is evaluated as 0. Empty cells, logical values or text are ignored in arrays and references, but cells containing a zero value are included. Use the Average A function if you wish to include logical values and text representations in a reference.
3. Expect Average to return the #Valye! error value if any arguments are error values or text that can't be evaluated as a number.
4. Distinguish between empty cells and zero values when working with Average by ensuring zero values will be displayed. Go to the Tools command on the menu bar, select "Options" and check the "Zero Values" check box on the "View" tab.
5. Calculate the results of Average. Once the arguments have been evaluated as numbers, divide their sum by the number of arguments.
6. Look at a simple example of Average.
   
   =Average (10,7,9,27,2) returns 11. The sum of these numbers is 55 and there are 5 arguments. Average will therefore return a result of 55/11 or 5.
   =Average (10,7,9,27,2,True) returns 9.33333. Note that True is evaluated to 1 and included in the total. The sum of these numbers is therefore 56 and there are now 6 arguments. Average will therefore return a result of 9.33333.

Who Can Help:

• Find Computer, Electrical and Telephone Services Here. Compare Up to 4 Quotes, Free Service & No Obligation.
• Find Electrical Services Here. Compare Up to 4 Quotes, Free Service & No Obligation.