AVERAGE based on criteria
This article demonstrates two formulas that calculate averages, the first formula calculates an average based on criteria, and the second formula uses both criteria and two other conditions applied to an adjacent column using AND logic.
Table of Contents
1. AVERAGE based on criteria
The array formula in cell D14 calculates an average based on multiple criteria in cell range B14:B15. If value in column C is equal to B14 or B15 the amount in column D on the same row is included in the average.
1.1 How to enter an array formula
To enter an array formula, type the formula in a cell then press and hold CTRL + SHIFT simultaneously, now press Enter once. Release all keys.
The formula bar now shows the formula with a beginning and ending curly bracket telling you that you entered the formula successfully. Don't enter the curly brackets yourself.
1.2 Explaining formula in cell D14
Step 1 - Count cells based on criteria
You can't use AVERAGEIF or AVERAGEIFS function in this example, as far as I know. The COUNTIF function allows you to check if at least one out of multiple values are found in a cell range.
Note that I am using multiple values in the second argument, the COUNTIF function returns an array that indicates where group A or B is.
COUNTIF(range, criteria)
COUNTIF(B14:B15, C3:C11)
becomes
COUNTIF({"A";"B"},{"A";"B";"C";"A";"B";"C";"B";"B";"C"})
and returns {1; 1; 0; 1; 1; 0; 1; 1; 0}. The image below shows the array next to column Amount.
If group is "A" or "B" the corresponding cell on the same row is 1 in the column without a name (next to column Amount).
Step 2 - Replace 1 with the corresponding amount
The IF function lets you filter values in column D based on the COUNTIF function that serves as a logical test in this case.
IF(logical_test, [value_if_true], [value_if_false])
IF(COUNTIF(B14:B15, C3:C11), D3:D11, "")
becomes
IF({1; 1; 0; 1; 1; 0; 1; 1; 0}, D3:D11, "")
and returns
{360; 740; ""; 760; 980; ""; 60; 740; ""}
Step 3 - Calculate average
The AVERAGE function then returns the average from the values in the array ignoring the blanks.
AVERAGE(number1, [number2], ...)
AVERAGE(IF(COUNTIF(B14:B15,C3:C11),D3:D11,""))
becomes
AVERAGE({360;740;"";760;980;"";60;740;""})
returns 606.6667 in cell D14.
2. AVERAGE - AND OR logic
The following array formula calculates an average based on two conditions, if group is equal to A OR B AND ID is less than 105 AND larger than 100.
2.1 Explaining formula
Step 1 - First condition
The COUNTIF function allows you to check if at least one out of multiple values are found in a cell range.
Note that I am using multiple values in the second argument, the COUNTIF function returns an array that indicates where group A or B is.
COUNTIF(range, criteria)
COUNTIF(B14:B15, C3:C11)
becomes
COUNTIF({"A"; "B"},{"A"; "B"; "C"; "A"; "B"; "C"; "A"; "B"; "C"})
and returns {1; 1; 0; 1; 1; 0; 1; 1; 0}.
Step 2 - Second condition
The less than character is a logical operator that checks if the numbers in B3:B11 are smaller than 105, the result is a boolean value TRUE or FALSE.
B3:B11<105
becomes
{101; 102; 103; 104; 105; 106; 107; 108; 109}<105
and returns
{TRUE; TRUE; TRUE; TRUE; FALSE; FALSE; FALSE; FALSE; FALSE}.
Step 3 - Third condition
The greater than character is a logical operator that checks if the numbers in B3:B11 are larger than 100.
B3:B11>100
becomes
{101; 102; 103; 104; 105; 106; 107; 108; 109}>100
and returns
{TRUE; TRUE; TRUE; TRUE; TRUE; TRUE; TRUE; TRUE; TRUE}.
Step 4 - Multiply arrays
There are three logical expressions in the first IF argument COUNTIF(B14:B15,C3:C11)*(B3:B11<105)*(B3:B11>100).
The asterisk multiplies the arrays, 1 indicates a location where all three logical tests return TRUE and FALSE if at least one returns FALSE.
The array returned from the COUNTIF function is in the first column above, B3:B11<105 is in the second column, and B3:B11>100 is in the third column.
The first row: 1*TRUE*TRUE equals 1. All three logical tests are TRUE.
COUNTIF(B14:B15, C3:C11)*(B3:B11<105)*(B3:B11>100)
becomes
{1; 1; 0; 1; 1; 0; 1; 1; 0}*{TRUE; TRUE; TRUE; TRUE; FALSE; FALSE; FALSE; FALSE; FALSE}*{TRUE; TRUE; TRUE; TRUE; TRUE; TRUE; TRUE; TRUE; TRUE}
and returns
{1; 1; 0; 1; 0; 0; 0; 0; 0}.
Step 5 - Replace 1 with the corresponding amount
The IF function lets you filter values in column D based on the COUNTIF function that serves as a logical test in this case.
IF(logical_test, [value_if_true], [value_if_false])
The corresponding value on the same row is 360 and is included in the AVERAGE calculation.
IF(COUNTIF(B14:B15, C3:C11)*(B3:B11<105)*(B3:B11>100), D3:D11,"")
becomes
IF({1; 1; 0; 1; 0; 0; 0; 0; 0}, D3:D11,"")
becomes
IF({1; 1; 0; 1; 0; 0; 0; 0; 0}, {360; 740; 500; 760; 980; 530; 60; 740; 200},"")
and returns
{360; 740; ""; 760; ""; ""; ""; ""; ""}.
Step 6 - Calculate average
The AVERAGE function then returns the average from the values in the array ignoring the blanks.
AVERAGE(number1, [number2], ...)
AVERAGE(IF(COUNTIF(B14:B15, C3:C11)*(B3:B11<105)*(B3:B11>100), D3:D11,""))
becomes
AVERAGE({360; 740; ""; 760; ""; ""; ""; ""; ""})
There are two more values that are also in the calculation found in the second and fourth row, 740 and 760.
The average is 620 and is displayed in cell B18.
3. Get Excel *.xlsx file
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