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When it comes to finding average values in Excel, theres a difference between blank or empty cells and those containing a zero value.

Use the AVERAGE function to find the mean in a range of data.

Former Lifewire writer Ted French is a Microsoft Certified Professional who teaches and writes about spreadsheets and spreadsheet programs.

Excel has a few functions that calculate the central tendency in a range of data: AVERAGE, MEDIAN, and MODE.

The most commonly derived measure of central tendency is the simple average (mean).

It is calculated by adding a group of numbers and dividing the result by the count of those numbers.

Excel Expanding Autosum Column How To Find The

Heres how to find the arithmetic mean using the AVERAGE function in Excel.

A functions syntax refers to the layout of the function and includes the function name, brackets, comma separators, and arguments.

Number2 to Number 255 (optional) is the additional data you want to include in the average calculation.

Inputting the function and arguments using the Function dialog box.

Entering the function and arguments using the Excel Average Function shortcut.

Excel has a shortcut to enter the AVERAGE function, sometimes referred to as AutoAverage due to its association with the AutoSum feature, which is located on the Home tab of the ribbon.

The steps below cover how to enter the AVERAGE function, as shown in row four of the example image above, using the shortcut method.

Select cell D4, which is where the formula results will display.

Go to the Home tab and, in the Editing group, select the AutoSum drop-down arrow.

Select Average in the list to enter the AVERAGE function into cell D4.

Highlight cells A4 to C4 to enter these references as arguments for the function, then press the Enter key on the keyboard.

Follow these guidelines when entering data for the AVERAGE function.

When using cells as arguments, separate cell references with a comma.

Excel ignores blank cells, text entries, and cells containing Boolean values (TRUE or FALSE).

If you make changes to the data in the selected cells after entering the function, it automatically recalculates the result to reflect the change.

The AVERAGE function should be entered at the bottom of a column of data or the right end of a row of data.

It looks first for the number data above and then to the left.

Since the AVERAGE function guesses at the range it selects for the Number argument, you should check that its accurate before pressing the Enter key on the keyboard to complete the function.

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