How to Use the AVEDEV Function in Excel
Today, let’s explore the AVEDEV function in Microsoft Excel and Google Sheets. The AVEDEV function, short for average deviation, is designed to calculate the mean of the absolute deviations of data points from their average. This function is especially beneficial for analyzing data dispersion or variability in a dataset.
Syntax
The syntax for the AVEDEV function is:
=AVEDEV(number1, [number2], ...)number1,number2, etc., are the arguments that represent the data points for which you are calculating the average deviation.
Example 1: Simple Usage
Let’s examine a straightforward example to understand the functionality of the AVEDEV function. Consider the following dataset:
| Data Points | 5 | 8 | 12 | 6 | 10 |
|---|
To calculate the average deviation of these data points, you would use the AVEDEV function as follows:
=AVEDEV(5, 8, 12, 6, 10)By entering this formula into a cell, Excel or Google Sheets will compute the average deviation for these points.
Example 2: Using Cell References
In practical applications, your data points often reside within spreadsheet cells. Here’s how you can use cell references with the AVEDEV function. Suppose you have the following data:
| Data Points | A1: 15 | A2: 18 | A3: 22 | A4: 16 | A5: 20 |
|---|
To find the average deviation of these data points, apply the formula:
=AVEDEV(A1, A2, A3, A4, A5)This formula, when entered into a cell, calculates the average deviation using the values in cells A1 through A5.
Example 3: Handling Missing Data
It’s not uncommon for datasets to include empty or missing values. In these situations, the AVEDEV function helpfully skips over any empty cells when calculating the average deviation. Consider this dataset:
| Data Points | 4 | 6 | 3 | 9 |
|---|
To calculate the average deviation in such a case, use the formula:
=AVEDEV(4, 6, , 3, 9)Upon entering this formula, Excel or Google Sheets will compute the average deviation, excluding the missing value.
In summary, the AVEDEV function is an invaluable tool for measuring the average deviation within a dataset. With the examples provided, you should be able to apply this function effectively to analyze data dispersion.
More information: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/avedev-function-58fe8d65-2a84-4dc7-8052-f3f87b5c6639
Other functions
Returns the average of its arguments
Returns the average of its arguments, including numbers, text, and logical values
Returns the average (arithmetic mean) of all the cells in a range that meet a given criteria
Returns the average (arithmetic mean) of all cells that meet multiple criteria
Returns the beta cumulative distribution function
Returns the inverse of the cumulative distribution function for a specified beta distribution
Returns the individual term binomial distribution probability
Returns the probability of a trial result using a binomial distribution
Returns the smallest value for which the cumulative binomial distribution is less than or equal to a criterion value
Returns the cumulative beta probability density function
Returns the one-tailed probability of the chi-squared distribution
Returns the cumulative beta probability density function
Returns the inverse of the one-tailed probability of the chi-squared distribution
Returns the test for independence
Returns the confidence interval for a population mean
Returns the confidence interval for a population mean, using a Student's t distribution
Returns the correlation coefficient between two data sets
Counts how many numbers are in the list of arguments
Counts how many values are in the list of arguments
Counts the number of blank cells within a range
Counts the number of cells within a range that meet the given criteria
Counts the number of cells within a range that meet multiple criteria
Returns covariance, the average of the products of paired deviations
Returns the sample covariance, the average of the products deviations for each data point pair in two data sets
Returns the sum of squares of deviations
Returns the exponential distribution
Returns the F probability distribution
Returns the F probability distribution
Returns the inverse of the F probability distribution
Returns the inverse of the F probability distribution
Returns the result of an F-test
Returns the inverse of the F probability distribution
Returns the Fisher transformation
Returns the inverse of the Fisher transformation
Returns a value along a linear trend
Returns a future value based on existing (historical) values by using the AAA version of the Exponential Smoothing (ETS) algorithm
Returns a confidence interval for the forecast value at the specified target date
Returns the length of the repetitive pattern Excel detects for the specified time series
Returns a statistical value as a result of time series forecasting
Returns a future value based on existing values
Returns a frequency distribution as a vertical array
Returns the Gamma function value
Returns the gamma distribution
Returns the inverse of the gamma cumulative distribution
Returns the natural logarithm of the gamma function, Γ(x)
Returns the natural logarithm of the gamma function, Γ(x)
Returns 05 less than the standard normal cumulative distribution
Returns the geometric mean
Returns values along an exponential trend
Returns the harmonic mean
Returns the hypergeometric distribution
Returns the intercept of the linear regression line
Returns the kurtosis of a data set
Returns the k-th largest value in a data set
Returns the parameters of a linear trend
Returns the parameters of an exponential trend
Returns the cumulative lognormal distribution
Returns the inverse of the lognormal cumulative distribution
Returns the maximum value in a list of arguments
Returns the maximum value in a list of arguments, including numbers, text, and logical values
Returns the maximum value among cells specified by a given set of conditions or criteria
Returns the median of the given numbers
Returns the minimum value in a list of arguments
Returns the smallest value in a list of arguments, including numbers, text, and logical values
Returns the minimum value among cells specified by a given set of conditions or criteria
Returns a vertical array of the most frequently occurring, or repetitive values in an array or range of data
Returns the most common value in a data set
Returns the negative binomial distribution
Returns the normal cumulative distribution
Returns the standard normal cumulative distribution
Returns the inverse of the standard normal cumulative distribution
Returns the inverse of the normal cumulative distribution
Returns the Pearson product moment correlation coefficient
Returns the k-th percentile of values in a range, where k is in the range 01, exclusive
Returns the k-th percentile of values in a range
Returns the rank of a value in a data set as a percentage (01, exclusive) of the data set
Returns the percentage rank of a value in a data set
Returns the number of permutations for a given number of objects
Returns the number of permutations for a given number of objects (with repetitions) that can be selected from the total objects
Returns the value of the density function for a standard normal distribution
Returns the Poisson distribution
Returns the probability that values in a range are between two limits
Returns the quartile of the data set, based on percentile values from 01, exclusive
Returns the quartile of a data set
Returns the rank of a number in a list of numbers
Returns the rank of a number in a list of numbers
Returns the square of the Pearson product moment correlation coefficient
Returns the skewness of a distribution
Returns the skewness of a distribution based on a population: a characterization of the degree of asymmetry of a distribution around its mean
Returns the slope of the linear regression line
Returns the k-th smallest value in a data set
Returns a normalized value
Calculates standard deviation based on the entire population
Estimates standard deviation based on a sample
Estimates standard deviation based on a sample, including numbers, text, and logical values
Calculates standard deviation based on the entire population, including numbers, text, and logical values
Returns the standard error of the predicted y-value for each x in the regression
Returns the Percentage Points (probability) for the Student t-distribution
Returns the Percentage Points (probability) for the Student t-distribution
Returns the Student's t-distribution
Returns the t-value of the Student's t-distribution as a function of the probability and the degrees of freedom
Returns the inverse of the Student's t-distribution
Returns the probability associated with a Student's t-test
Returns values along a linear trend
Returns the mean of the interior of a data set
Calculates variance based on the entire population
Estimates variance based on a sample
Estimates variance based on a sample, including numbers, text, and logical values
Calculates variance based on the entire population, including numbers, text, and logical values
Returns the Weibull distribution
Returns the one-tailed probability-value of a z-test