Not getting the correct averages.

[Guest]

I am averaging columns with varying numbers (1-5). There are no blanks and no
zeros. When I average some columns, the correct answer comes out with five
decimal places. When I try to average other rows I get a number without
decimal places (such as 4 or 5), but when I do the math physcially, I get the
answer 4.01818 or 4.75... instead of 4 or 5. Why am I getting the wrong
averages on some columns, I am using the same function (the Average function
under the Sum button on the toolbar)?
Please help me as there are many many numbers to average.
Thank you,
Lana

 

[Guest]

In all likelihood, the cells are just formatted differently, so that 4.01818
is *appearing* as 4. In one of these 'wrong' cells, try Format > Cells >
Number and change the decimals. Does that now show the answer you expect?

 

[Pete]

Check the format of some of the cells by selecting Format | Cells |
Number (tab) - you might find that some are set to General and others
are set to Number with a fixed (or 0) number of decimal places. Adjust
accordingly.

Pete