Returns the median of the given numbers. The median is the number in the middle of a set of numbers; that is, half the numbers have values that are greater than the median, and half have values that are less.
Syntax
MEDIAN(number1,number2, ...)
Number1, number2, ... are 1 to 30 numbers for which you want the median.
Remarks
- The arguments should be either numbers or names, arrays, or references that contain numbers. All the numbers in each reference or array argument are examined in the spreadsheet.
- 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.
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If there is an even number of numbers in the set, then MEDIAN calculates the average of the two numbers in the middle. See the second formula following.
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 | |
|---|---|
| 1 | |
| 2 | |
| 3 | |
| 4 | |
| 5 | |
| 6 | |
| Formula | Description (Result) |
| =MEDIAN(A2:A6) | Median of the first 5 numbers in the list above (3) |
| =MEDIAN(A2:A7) | Median of all the numbers above, or the average of 3 and 4 (3.5) |