Returns the geometric mean of an array or range of positive data. For example, you can use GEOMEAN to calculate average growth rate given compound interest with variable rates.
Syntax
GEOMEAN(number1,number2, ...)
Number1,number2, ... are 1 to 30 arguments for which you want to calculate the mean. 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.
- If any data point ≤ 0, GEOMEAN returns the #NUM! error value.
- The equation for the geometric mean is:
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 | |
| 8 | |
| 7 | |
| 11 | |
| 4 | |
| 3 | |
| Formula | Description (Result) |
| =GEOMEAN(A2:A8) | Geometric mean of the data above (5.476987) |