How to use the Average Function in Excel Correctly?

It is one of the basic functions of Excel that allows us calculate the arithmetic mean of a series of numerical data, that is, the sum of an entire range divided by the number of records that we are adding. In addition to teaching you the AVERAGE function, we will show you this tool in a comprehensive and useful way to deal with more difficult problems with the formula called AVERAGEIF.

What functions does the average formula perform in Excel?

• Automatically calculate the average of a data series, this function it is very useful in various fields from work to education. Some visible examples are the calculations of average sales, student grades, salaries, ages, among others.
• Synthesize a series of numbers in a single piece of data. Example: Place the final grade, taking into account the evaluations obtained in the development of the course.

What is the AVERAGEIF function in Excel?

We can make the AVERAGE function more difficult by placing a first condition, to have a condition we have to use the AVERAGEIF option. Basically consists of taking the average of a particular criterion between several categories. For example: average salary of accountants in an institution that has other positions (cleaner, systems engineer, administrator, …).

• = AVERAGEIF (range; criterion; (average_range).
• = AVERAGEIF (professions; accountant; salary range)

How can I get grades using Excel?

If what you want is to know the general average of the different subjects taken or the average of grades in a subject. We recommend creating a table in Excel with the different notes and executing one of these two procedures:

1. Add up all the notes and divide by the total amount of data added. Example: = (n1 + n2 + n3 + n4) / 4.
2. In order not to do all the above mathematical operation, there is the Excel function called AVERAGE, which consists of selecting the contents of the cells where the notes are and we press ENTER so that it gives exactly the same thing as the tedious mathematical calculation. For example: = AVERAGE (C2: C5).

What operation to do to get the average?

To take the average of a set of numerical data you must follow the following order: 1. Place the sign “=” or “+”, 2. Open parentheses and select the cell with the number you want to average. 3. Separate with a semicolon or semicolon, depending on your version of Excel. 4. Repeat steps 3 and 4 if you want to average more numbers.

• For example: = AVERAGE (number 1; (number 2; …)

Similarly, if the data to be averaged are many, we recommend that you do the following to synthesize the processes: 1. In your data table add a column that you can lock to that does not move .2. Select the data to average. 3. Click on the arrow (↓) next to the autosum option (∑). 4. Choose the average option and the results will appear automatically.

What is the function of the sum formula when adding values ​​in Excel?

If your data table is full of many elements to average and when doing it with the most tedious operation you get tired of adding so much data (1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5,…). We recommend you to use another useful Excel formula called SUM, since it allows you to select a range of values ​​with the mouse.

By giving ENTER, automatically obtain the total sum, regardless of whether it contains large numerical data. For example: = SUM (B2: B50)

Once your result is obtained with the Excel SUM function, you must get the average dividing that number X with the total cells involved in the range. In the specific case of the example described above, we have to divide the number X by 49 (total number of cells in the range) to get the overall average.

In conclusion, the AVERAGE and AVERAGEIF functions are essential to solve problems of various kinds such as defining a definitive grade or knowing the average age of workers in an organization.

In the same way, it gives you the opportunity to manage not only the average of numerical data, but also frame the specific average of a category without needing to wear yourself out mentally.