How to Use the AVERAGE Function in Excel

Today, we’ll explore the AVERAGE function, a highly practical tool in both Excel and Google Sheets. This function is designed to calculate the mean value from a set of numbers, simplifying data analysis. Let’s delve into the technical details and how you can effectively employ it in your spreadsheets.

Basic Syntax:

The AVERAGE function shares identical syntax in both Excel and Google Sheets:

AVERAGE(number1, [number2], ...)

• number1, number2, … refer to the numeric values or the cell range for which the average is to be calculated.

Examples of Usage:

To illustrate the functionality of the AVERAGE function, let’s examine a few practical examples.

Example 1: Calculating the Average of a Range of Cells

Consider a scenario where you have a series of numbers in cells A1 through A5 and wish to compute their average. The formula to use would be:

=AVERAGE(A1:A5)

This formula calculates the average of the values in cells A1 to A5.

Example 2: Calculating the Average of Specific Numbers

To compute the average of discrete numbers directly, you can input them into the formula. For instance:

=AVERAGE(10, 20, 30, 40, 50)

This formula returns the average of the numbers 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50.

Example 3: Utilizing Cell References

Cell references can also be used in the AVERAGE function. For example, if numbers are located in cells B1 and B2, the formula would be:

=AVERAGE(B1, B2)

This formula will produce the average of the numbers in cells B1 and B2.

Conclusion:

The AVERAGE function is an essential and robust tool in both Excel and Google Sheets, enabling you to efficiently compute the average across a dataset. Whether dealing with a compact set of numbers or extensive data collections, the AVERAGE function offers a simple solution to streamline your calculations.

More information: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/average-function-047bac88-d466-426c-a32b-8f33eb960cf6