How to use the DAVERAGE function
What is the DAVERAGE function?
The DAVERAGE function calculates an average based on values in a list or database that meet specific conditions.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
What is the average?
It is also known as the mean. It is calculated by adding up all the values in the data set and dividing by the number of values.
Arithmetic mean = (Σxi)/n
xi = each number
n = count of all numbers
For example, if you have a data set of 5, 7, 9, 11, and 13, the mean is (5 + 7 + 9 + 11 + 13) / 5 = 9.
When is the average useful?
- Average test score in a class: Calculating the average test score gives teachers an overall measure of how the class performed on the test.
- Average monthly expenses: Individuals or households can calculate their average monthly expenses to understand their typical spending patterns, budget more effectively, and identify areas where they can potentially reduce costs.
- Average customer rating: Companies often calculate the average customer rating for their products or services to gauge overall customer satisfaction and identify areas for improvement.
- Average daily traffic: Transportation authorities measure the average daily traffic on roads or highways to plan infrastructure upgrades, manage traffic flow, and allocate resources accordingly.
- Average sales per employee: Businesses can calculate the average sales per employee to evaluate the productivity and performance of their sales team.
Here are five mathematical formulas that require the calculation of an average:
- Variance: Σ(x - μ)^2 / (n - 1)
Where μ is the mean (average) of the data set, and n is the number of observations. - Standard Deviation: √[Σ(x - μ)^2 / (n - 1)]
Where μ is the mean (average) of the data set, and n is the number of observations. - Correlation Coefficient: r = Σ[(x - x̄)(y - ȳ)] / √[Σ(x - x̄)^2 * Σ(y - ȳ)^2]
Where x̄ and ȳ are the means (averages) of the respective data sets. - Linear Regression: y = a + bx
Where a = ȳ - b * x̄, and b = Σ[(x - x̄)(y - ȳ)] / Σ(x - x̄)^2
x̄ and ȳ are the means (averages) of the independent and dependent variables, respectively. - Confidence Intervals: x̄ ± z * (σ / √n)
Where x̄ is the mean (average) of the sample, and n is the number of observations.
Does the DAVERAGE function count blank cells, boolean, and text values?
No, blank cells, boolean values and text values are not counted.
Does the DAVERAGE function ignore error values?
Yes, it ignores error values.
What is DAVERAGE an abbreviation of?
DAVERAGE is an abbreviation of Database Average.
What is a database in this context?
Excel defines a database as a list of related data in which rows of related information are records, and columns of data are fields. The first row of the list contains labels for each column.
Why use the DAVERAGE function?
The DAVERAGE function calculates the average of cells containing numbers that match a condition or criteria in a list/database whereas the AVERAGE function calculates an average without a condition/criteria.
Where can you place the criteria range?
You can place your criteria range wherever you want on your worksheet, however, it is not recommended below the list/database. The function needs a blank row below the list to work properly.
What criteria characters are allowed?
Allowed criteria range characters are less than and greater than signs <>, use them to specify a criteria range. Also, asterisks * can be used to match partial strings.
How to calculate the AVERAGE for the entire list/database?
To include the entire list/database enter a blank line below the criteria range column labels.
2. Syntax and Arguments
DAVERAGE(database, field, criteria)
| database | Required. The cell reference to a list or database. |
| field | Required. The field argument lets you choose which column to use. You can use the column name enclosed with double quotation marks or the corresponding column number. |
| criteria | Required. A cell reference to the criteria range. The criteria range needs to have column labels and a at least one condition below the column label. |
3. Example 1
This example demonstrates how to use the DAVERAGE function to filter values based on a single condition and calculate the average (arithmetic mean) for corresponding numbers on the same row.
The data in cell range B18:D24:
| Item | Size | Number |
| A102 | M | 370 |
| A103 | L | 690 |
| A099 | S | 310 |
| A412 | S | 190 |
| A341 | L | 550 |
| B340 | M | 730 |
The condition is in cell range B15:D16:
| Item | Size | Number |
| L |
The arguments are:
database = B18:D24
field = 3
criteria = B15:D16
Formula in cell B27:
The formula returns 620. Cells that match the condition are C20 and C23, the corresponding cells in column D are D20 and D23. Those cells contain the following numbers: 690 and 550.
The arithmetic mean (average) is 690 + 550 = 1240. 1240 / 2 = 620. The formula is correct. The image above shows a bar chart chart displaying the average for each "size" based on the data in cell range B18:D24.
4. Example 2
This example demonstrates how to use the DAVERAGE function using criteria with OR logic. The criteria are specified in cells B2:D4, the column header names must be specified as well in order to work properly.
The "Size" column has two conditions "M" and "L" and they are in a row each meaning OR logic is performed. This checks if either "M" or "L" is in the database B7:D12 in column "Size" and extracts numbers from column "Number" on the same row.
The data is in cell range B6:D12, here it is:
| Item | Size | Number |
| A102 | M | 370 |
| A103 | L | 690 |
| A099 | S | 310 |
| A412 | S | 190 |
| A341 | L | 550 |
| A340 | M | 730 |
The arguments are:
database = B6:D12
field = 3
criteria = B2:D4
Formula in cell B15:
The formula calculates the average of the numbers in column "Number" if the "Size" is M or L. Cells D7, D8, D11, and D12 match and they contain 370, 690, 550, and 730.
The total is 370 + 690 + 550 + 730 equals 2340. To calculate the average we divide the total by the count: 2340 / 4 equals 585.
5. Example 3
This example demonstrates how to combine four conditions and perform AND and OR logic. The criteria are specified in cells B2:D4, the column header names must be specified as well in order to work properly.
The data is in cell range B6:D12, here it is:
| Item | Size | Number |
| A102 | M | 370 |
| A103 | L | 690 |
| A099 | S | 310 |
| A412 | S | 190 |
| A341 | L | 550 |
| B340 | M | 730 |
The arguments are:
database = B6:D12
field = 3
criteria = B2:D4
The "Item" column has a condition that checks if the values begin with an "A", the asterisk matches 1 to many characters of any kind. The "Size" column has a "M" specified on the same row as the "Item" condition which means that both conditions must be met, in other words, AND logic.
The next row (4) has "L" in "Size" column and "<650" in the "Number" column, both these conditions must be met. Since two conditions are entered in row 3 and two conditions are entered in row means that there is OR logic applied between these condition pairs.
So if the conditions in row 3 are met or the conditions in row 4 are met in order to include the corresponding number in the average calculation.
Formula in cell B15:
Row 7 meets both the conditions in row 3, number 370 is included in the calculation. Row 8 does not meet any of the condition pairs specified in rows 3 and 4, number 690 is not included.
The same thing applies to row 9 and 10, none of the condition pairs match. Number 310 and 190 are not included. Row 11 matches the condition pair specified in row 4, number 550 is included. Row 12 doesn't match any of the condition pairs.
The filtered numbers are 370 and 550, the total is 370 + 550 equals 920. 920 / 2 equals 460.
Functions in 'Database' category
The DAVERAGE function function is one of 11 functions in the 'Database' category.
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