How to Calculate an Average or Mean in Excel

 

1.      Place the numbers in a column in a spreadsheet.  You may leave the first row blank for a heading if you wish.

2.      Place the cursor in the cell where you wish the average/mean to appear.

3.      Click on the f_x symbol in the toolbar at the top.

4.      A menu will appear that says “Paste Function”.  Select “Stastical” from the left hand side of the menu, if necessary.  Scroll down on the right hand side of the menu and select “AVERAGE”; then click “OK”.

5.      A box will pop up that says “AVERAGE” in the upper left hand corner.  You can grab this box with the mouse and move it around if you like.  There will be a box to the left of “Number 1” that will already contain a list of numbers.  Just to the right of the box (& left of “=”) is a little picture that looks sort of like a table or spreadsheet; click on that picture.

6.      Now, highlight the numbers you wish to average by clicking and dragging over them with the mouse.

7.      Hit enter, and the picture of the box with the word “AVERAGE” in the upper left should return.

8.      The box should contain a reference to the list of numbers that you just highlighted.  Click “OK”. The average of your list should now appear in the cell.