Finding the average in Google Sheets is a walk in the park once you know how. It’s all about using the right formula and selecting the correct range of cells. After reading this brief overview, you’ll be ready to calculate averages like a pro in no time.
Google Sheets Average Step by Step Tutorial
Before we jump into the nitty-gritty, let’s talk about what we’re aiming to do here. This step-by-step tutorial will guide you through the process of calculating the average of a set of numbers in Google Sheets. It’s a handy skill to have, whether you’re managing a budget, analyzing data, or just trying to figure out your average score in bowling.
Step 1: Select the cell where you want the average to appear
Click on the cell where you want your calculated average to show up. This is where the magic happens.
Selecting the proper cell is crucial. You don’t want the average to overwrite any existing data, so pick an empty cell or one you’re okay with changing.
Step 2: Enter the AVERAGE function
Type “=AVERAGE(“ into the selected cell to start your formula.
Remember, the formula is case-insensitive, so you don’t need to worry about capitalizing. Just make sure you spell it correctly, and don’t forget the opening parenthesis!
Step 3: Select the range of cells you want to average
Click and drag to highlight the cells containing the numbers you want to average, then close the parenthesis and hit enter.
Your selected range can be a row, a column, or any group of cells. Just make sure they contain the numbers you want to include in your average calculation.
Step 4: Press Enter to calculate the average
Once you’ve entered your range and closed the parenthesis, press Enter. The average will now display in the cell you selected.
This is the moment of truth. If you’ve followed the steps correctly, you’ll see the average of your selected numbers.
Once you’ve completed these steps, Google Sheets will calculate and display the average of the numbers you’ve selected. It’s that simple!
Tips for Finding a Google Sheets Average
- Always double-check the range of cells you’ve selected before hitting enter. You don’t want to average the wrong data.
- If you need to average non-adjacent cells, you can do so by holding the “Ctrl” key (or “Cmd” on Mac) while selecting them.
- Remember that the AVERAGE function ignores text and empty cells. So, don’t worry if your range includes a few blank spots.
- If you encounter an error, make sure you’ve closed the parenthesis and that there are no extra characters in the formula.
- You can use the AVERAGE function in conjunction with other functions to perform more complex calculations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I average cells with text in them?
No, the AVERAGE function will only calculate the average of numerical values. Text will be ignored.
What if my numbers are in different sheets?
You can still average them! Just include the sheet name before the cell range in your formula, like so: =AVERAGE(Sheet2!A1:A10).
Can I average cells based on a condition?
Absolutely! You’ll want to use the AVERAGEIF or AVERAGEIFS function for that.
Does the AVERAGE function round the result?
No, the AVERAGE function will give you the exact average. If you want to round the result, you can nest the AVERAGE function inside the ROUND function.
Can I use the AVERAGE function on a mobile device?
Yes, the Google Sheets app on mobile devices supports the AVERAGE function just like on a desktop.
Summary
- Select the cell for the average result
- Enter the AVERAGE function
- Select the range of cells to average
- Press Enter to calculate the average
Conclusion
Calculating the average in Google Sheets is a fundamental skill that can be applied to countless situations, from academic to professional environments. With the simple steps outlined above, anyone can quickly find the average of any set of numbers with confidence. It’s just a matter of selecting your cells, entering the formula, and letting Google Sheets do the rest. Of course, there’s more to learn about Google Sheets and its powerful functions, but mastering the average calculation is a great start. So go ahead, give it a try, and watch as your data analysis skills grow. Remember, practice makes perfect, and with Google Sheets, you have one of the most versatile tools at your fingertips. Keep exploring, keep calculating, and keep optimizing your spreadsheets to make the most out of your data.
Matthew Burleigh has been writing tech tutorials since 2008. His writing has appeared on dozens of different websites and been read over 50 million times.
After receiving his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Computer Science he spent several years working in IT management for small businesses. However, he now works full time writing content online and creating websites.
His main writing topics include iPhones, Microsoft Office, Google Apps, Android, and Photoshop, but he has also written about many other tech topics as well.