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Quick Answer

AVERAGE Function

Calculates the mean of the provided numbers.

✓ Excel✓ Google SheetsExcel All versions

Syntax

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

Parameters

ParameterDescriptionRequired
number1The first number, range, or cell reference.Required
number2Additional numbers, ranges, or cell references (optional).Optional

Basic Example

Average of test scores

=AVERAGE(A2:A10)
ResultMean score

Adds all values in A2:A10 and divides by the count of numeric values.

Advanced Examples

Example 1: Average with multiple ranges

Quarterly sales

Average two separate ranges

=AVERAGE(B2:B10, D2:D10)
Result: Mean of both ranges
Combines both ranges and computes the overall mean.

Example 2: Average excluding blanks

Survey data

AVERAGE ignores empty cells and text automatically

=AVERAGE(A2:A100)
Result: Mean of numeric responses
Blank cells and text are ignored.

How AVERAGE Works

AVERAGE sums the numeric values and divides by the count of numeric values. It ignores text, logical values, and empty cells.

1
Select range
Choose the cells containing numbers.
2
Enter formula
Type =AVERAGE(range).
3
Press Enter
The mean appears in the cell.

Important Notes & Limitations

  • Ignores text and empty cells, which may affect the denominator count.

  • Does not ignore zero values.

  • Cells with logical TRUE/FALSE are ignored.

Common Errors & Fixes

#DIV/0! errorNo numeric values in the range.

Fix: Ensure the range contains at least one number.

Wrong averageText-formatted numbers are treated as text.

Fix: Convert text to numbers first.

Download Practice File

Practice AVERAGE with Real Data

Download a sample CSV file with pre-populated data and practice exercises for the AVERAGE function. Works in both Excel and Google Sheets.

Works in Google SheetsCompatible with ExcelIncludes exercises

File format: CSV (comma-separated values) - opens in Excel, Google Sheets, and all spreadsheet apps

Related Tutorials

AVERAGEIF with Criteria

Learn how to use AVERAGEIF with criteria in Excel and Google Sheets: syntax, text, number and date conditions, wildcards, and when to switch to AVERAGEIFS.

AVERAGEIFS Multiple Criteria

AVERAGEIFS multiple criteria lets you average cells that satisfy two or more conditions at once. Learn the syntax, real examples, and how it differs from AVERAGEIF and SUMIFS.

Excel Budget Template

Build an Excel budget template from scratch: structure your sheets, total spending by category with SUMIF, flag overspending with IF, and track averages.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does AVERAGE include zero?
Yes, zero is counted as a numeric value.
How is AVERAGE different from AVERAGEA?
AVERAGEA counts text and FALSE as 0 and TRUE as 1.
Can AVERAGE ignore errors?
No, use AVERAGEIF or FILTER to exclude errors.