Returns the average of the absolute deviations of data points from their mean. AVEDEV is a measure of the variability in a data set.
Syntax
AVEDEV(number1,number2, ...)
Number1, number2, ... are 1 to 30 arguments for which you want the average of the absolute deviations. You can also use a single array or a reference to an array instead of arguments separated by commas.
Remarks
- The arguments must be either numbers or names, arrays, or references that contain numbers.
- If an array or reference argument contains text, logical values, or empty cells, those values are ignored; however, cells with the value zero are included.
- The equation for average deviation is:
AVEDEV is influenced by the unit of measurement in the input data.
Example
The example may be easier to understand if you copy it to a blank spreadsheet.
How?- Create a blank spreadsheet.
- Select the example in the Help topic.
Selecting an example from Help
- Press CTRL+C.
- In the spreadsheet, select cell A1, and press CTRL+V.
- To switch between viewing the formula that returns the result and the result in the cell, select the cell and press F2 and then ENTER, or click Commands and Options on the spreadsheet toolbar, click the Formula tab, and look in the Formula in active cell (active cell) box.
| Data | |
|---|---|
| 4 | |
| 5 | |
| 6 | |
| 7 | |
| 5 | |
| 4 | |
| 3 | |
| Formula | Description (Result) |
| =AVEDEV(A2:A8) | Average of the absolute deviations of the numbers above from their mean (1.020408) |