How to average absolute values in Excel?

If you have a list of values which contain both positive numbers and negative numbers, and now, you want to calculate the average of the absolute values of these numbers in the worksheet. Do you have any good ideas to solve this problem?

Average absolute values in Excel with a helper column

Average absolute values in Excel with formulas

Average absolute values with Kutools for Excel

Average absolute values in Excel with a helper column

Generally speaking, you may use the ABS function to get the absolute values of all the numbers, and then apply AVERAGE function to calculate the result. Please do as follows:

1. Next to your data, enter this formula: =ABS(A2), see screenshot:

2. Then drag the fill handle over to the range that you want to apply this formula, and all the values have been converted to the absolute values. See screenshot:

3. Then, you can apply the AVERAGE function by type =AVERAGE(B2:B13) (B2:B13 is the range you want to calculate their average) into a cell to get the average of these absolute values, see screenshot:

Average absolute values in Excel with formulas

Maybe the above method is a little troublesome, here are some simple formulas also can help you.

1. Enter this array formula: =AVERAGE(ABS(A2:A13)) into a blank cell next to the data, see screenshot:

2. Then press Ctrl + Shift + Enter keys together to calculate the result.

Note: If you want to ignore 0 or blank cells when average the absolute values, you can use this array formula: =AVERAGE(IF(A2:A13<>"",ABS(A2:A13))), and remember to press Ctrl + Shift + Enter keys.

Average absolute values with Kutools for Excel

With Kutools for Excel's Change Sign of Values utility, you can change all negative values into positive first and then apply =AVERAGE function to get the average.

After free installing Kutools for Excel, please do as below:

1. Select the values and then click Kutools > Content > Change Sign of Values. See screenshot:

2. In the popped out dialog, check Change all negative values to positive option. See screenshot:

3. Then select a blank cell to type =AVERAGE(L1:L15) (L1:L15 is the values you want to get average) and press Enter to get the average.

Average Absolute Value

Related articles:

How to average cells ignoring error values in Excel?

How to average only positive or negative numbers in Excel?

How to average a range of data ignoring zero in Excel?

How to calculate average without max and min values in Excel?