How To Calculate The Average By Hand Or By Using The Built In AVERAGE Function In Excel Explained

Описание: In this video we discuss how to calculate the average by hand or by using the built in AVERAGE function in excel. We go through a few examples using each of the methods

Transcript/notes
In this excel spreadsheet we have values in cells A1 thru A3, and let’s say that we want to find the average of these values and put the answer in cell C2.

There are 2 main ways to do this, by creating our own formula or by using the built in excel function for average.

We are going to cover both of these starting with creating our own function. And there are 2 ways I am going to show by creating your own formula.

For the first way, we start by left clicking on cell C2 so it is highlighted then we type in an equals sign, Next we type in an open parenthesis, then we left click on the first cell that will be part of the average calculation cell A1. Next we type in a plus or addition sign. Then we left click on the next cell we want as part of the average cell A2, then another addition sign, then we left click on the last cell to be part of the average, cell A3. Next we type in a closed parenthesis. Now we type in a forward slash, which is the division sign in excel, then we type in the number of numbers being used to calculate the average, which in this case is 3. And we hit the enter key and we have our answer of 45.

Now for the second way of creating your own function. We are going to put the answer in cell C4, so, we start by left clicking on cell C4 so it is highlighted then, as before, we type in an equals sign. Here is where the difference begins. We type in an S, and a drop down box appears. We are going to scroll down in the box to the sum function you see here, and left double click on it. Now, you see, in our answer cell sum then an open parenthesis, this is asking us to put some cell locations in here. For this, we are going to go to the first cell in our little data set, cell A1, and left click and hold, and then drag down to the last cell in our set, cell A3, then release the left click and hold.

This will also work if your values are all in the same row, as you see in this example.

Now for using the built in excel function for average.
We start by left clicking on the cell we want to put the answer in, in this case cell C2. Next, we type in an equals sign, then we type in the letter a for average, and a drop down box will appear. We are going to scroll down the box to the word average, and left double click on it.

Now, in our answer cell we have the word average then an open parenthesis, this is asking us to put some cell locations in here. From here, we are going to go to the first cell in our little data set, cell A1, and left click and hold, and then drag down to the last cell in our set, cell A3, then release the left click and hold. And next, we type in a closed parenthesis, then hit the enter key, and we have our answer of 45.
This will also work if your values are all in the same row, as you see in this example.

One other note, if you want to find the average of some values that are in different columns or rows, you can still use this built in function. Here are some values that are spread out, and I am going to put the average answer in cell B6, so, I will left click on B6, so it is highlighted, then as before type in an equals sign, then the letter A. Then scroll down to average and left double click on it.

Next, I am going to left click on the first value I want included in the average, say cell A2. Then I need to type in a comma, next I am going to left click on the next cell included in the average, say cell B1, then type in another comma. Next, I am going to left click on the next cell included in the average, say cell C3. Then type in a closed parenthesis and hit the enter key to get an answer of 39.

Chapters/Timestamps
0:00 Intro
0:19 Create an average formula method 1
1:05 Create an average formula method 2
2:43 How to use the built in average function in excel
3:35 How to calculate the average for cells in different columns and rows