Excel Average Ignore Zero

Calculating Averages in Excel while Ignoring Zero Values

When working with data in Excel, calculating averages is a common task. However, sometimes you might encounter datasets where zero values are present, and you want to exclude these zeros from your average calculation. Excel provides several ways to achieve this, including using formulas and functions designed specifically for ignoring zeros or blank cells. In this guide, we will explore how to calculate averages in Excel while ignoring zero values.

Using the AVERAGEIF Function

One of the straightforward methods to calculate an average ignoring zeros is by using the AVERAGEIF function. This function averages a set of cells based on a given criteria. To ignore zeros, you can use the criterion “>0”, which means the function will only consider cells with values greater than zero.

For example, if your data is in the range A1:A10, you can use the following formula:

=AVERAGEIF(A1:A10, ">0")

This formula will return the average of all the numbers in the range A1:A10, excluding any zeros.

Using the AVERAGEIF with Multiple Criteria

If you need to ignore both zeros and blank cells, you can combine criteria in the AVERAGEIF function. However, AVERAGEIF itself does not directly support multiple criteria in the way you might expect. Instead, you can use the AVERAGEIFS function, which allows for multiple criteria ranges and criteria.

For example, to ignore both zeros and blanks, assuming your data is in A1:A10, you could use:

=AVERAGEIFS(A1:A10, A1:A10, ">0", A1:A10, "<>")

The first criterion (">0") ensures that only numbers greater than zero are considered, and the second criterion ("<>") ensures that only non-blank cells are included.

Using the IF Function in Combination with AVERAGE

Another approach is to use an array formula that incorporates the IF function to filter out zeros before calculating the average. Assuming your data is in A1:A10, you can use the following formula:

=AVERAGE(IF(A1:A10>0, A1:A10))

To use this as an array formula, press Ctrl+Shift+Enter instead of just Enter. This tells Excel to evaluate the formula as an array formula, which can perform operations on each element of the specified range.

Using the FILTER Function (Excel 365 and Later)

For users of Excel 365 and later versions, the FILTER function provides a more direct and flexible way to filter data based on conditions and then calculate the average. To ignore zeros, you can use:

=AVERAGE(FILTER(A1:A10, A1:A10>0))

This formula filters out any zeros from the range A1:A10 and then calculates the average of the remaining values.

Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Calculating averages in Excel while ignoring zero values is a common requirement that can be fulfilled using various methods, including the AVERAGEIF, AVERAGEIFS, IF in combination with AVERAGE, and the FILTER function for newer Excel versions. Each method has its use case, depending on the specific requirements of your data analysis, such as the need to ignore blanks or apply multiple criteria. By mastering these techniques, you can efficiently handle data that includes zero values and derive more meaningful averages for your analysis.