AVERAGE

Returns the average (arithmetic mean) of the arguments.

Syntax

AVERAGE(number1,number2,...)

Number1, number2, ... are 1 to 30 numeric arguments for which you want the average.

Remarks

The arguments must either be numbers or be names, arrays, or references that contain numbers.
If an array or reference argument contains text, logical values, or empty cells, those values are ignored; however, cells with the value zero are included.

When averaging cells, keep in mind the difference between empty cells and those containing the value zero, especially if you have cleared the Zero values check box on the View tab (Options command, Tools menu). Empty cells are not counted, but zero values are.

Example

The example may be easier to understand if you copy it to a blank worksheet.

Show How?

Create a blank workbook or worksheet.
Select the example in the Help topic. Do not select the row or column headers.

Selecting an example from Help
Press CTRL+C.
In the worksheet, select cell A1, and press CTRL+V.
To switch between viewing the results and viewing the formulas that return the results, press CTRL+` (grave accent), or on the Tools menu, point to Formula Auditing, and then click Formula Auditing Mode.

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A
Data
10
7
9
27
2

Formula	Description (Result)
=AVERAGE(A2:A6)	Average of the numbers above (11)
=AVERAGE(A2:A6, 5)	Average of the numbers above and 5 (10)