AVERAGE Function
The AVERAGE function calculates the arithmetic mean (average) of several expressions.
Syntax
AVERAGE(first cell..last cell,<step>,<argument>)
The first and last cells denote the range to be averaged.
The step specifies if any cells should not be included. If no value is entered, the default step is 1 (include all).
The argument is optional and controls what value types are included. If no argument is specified, the function sums the contents of all cells in the range.
|
Argument |
Result |
|
0 |
The function returns the average of all cells in the range. |
|
1 |
The function returns the average of cells in the range that have a non-zero value. |
A cell with a zero value is a cell that is empty or that contains a blank.
Alternate Syntax
AVERAGE("sum group",ignore zeros)
Where
sum group is the label applied to a group to which cells have been assigned.
Example 1
AVERAGE(C401..C404,1,0)
Where
C401 = 6
C402 = 8
C403 = 0
C404 = 10
And zero value cells are being included.
Returns the value of (6+8+0+10)/4, which is 6.
Example 2
AVERAGE(C401..C404,1,1)
Where
C401 = 6
C402 = 8
C403 = 0
C404 = 10
Returns the value of (6+8+10)/3, which is 8.
Please note that if cells with zero values are included, the amount returned decreases.
Thus, if the results that the AVERAGE function returns are lower than expected, edit the calculation so that the ignore zeros parameter = 1.
Example 3
AVERAGE(C401..C404,3,0)
Where
C401 = 6
C402 = 8
C403 = 0
C404 = 10
Returns the value of (6+10)/2, which is 8, due to the increased step value.
Example 4
AVERAGE("Salaries",0)
Where
Salaries is the sum group containing cells with values 2, 6 and 0.
Returns the value 8/3.
