how AVG function works

[Randy Starkey]

Hi,

When calculating the avg of numbers in say a dozen consecutive cells, what
does the AVG function do if a cell is blank? or text? If it's a zero, I'm
sure it would be figured in, but if it's blank or text, would it calculate
the average based on 11 cells instead of 12? Hopefully that would be the
case?

Thanks!

--Randy Starkey

 

[Niek Otten]

From Excel HELP:

a.. 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.


--
Kind regards,

Niek Otten
Microsoft MVP - Excel

| Hi,
|
| When calculating the avg of numbers in say a dozen consecutive cells, what
| does the AVG function do if a cell is blank? or text? If it's a zero, I'm
| sure it would be figured in, but if it's blank or text, would it calculate
| the average based on 11 cells instead of 12? Hopefully that would be the
| case?
|
| Thanks!
|
| --Randy Starkey
|
|

 

[Ron Rosenfeld]

Hi,

When calculating the avg of numbers in say a dozen consecutive cells, what
does the AVG function do if a cell is blank? or text? If it's a zero, I'm
sure it would be figured in, but if it's blank or text, would it calculate
the average based on 11 cells instead of 12? Hopefully that would be the
case?

Thanks!

--Randy Starkey

In the US version of Excel, there is no AVG function.

There are two similar functions, AVERAGE and AVERAGEA which treat text
differently.

How they treat text is clearly outlined in HELP for that function.

One excludes blanks and text; the other includes text, null strings and
booleans.

You should check HELP in your version of Excel for information on your AVG
function.
--ron

 

[Tyro]

Look up AVERAGE in Excel help. You'll find a detailed explanation with
examples.

Tyro

 

[Randy Starkey]

OK. Thanks all! Didn't realize help was that detailed...