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How to Calculate Average Time in Excel

November 3, 2023 15.9K views

Part 1.What is the Formula to Average Time?

Data analysis is an emerging and most demanding field in today's fast paced society. In excel time average, precision is paramount, and there is an average need to compute the average time duration in MS Excel. In this section, we will look at the formula to average time in excel. As shown in the picture below, if you have three time values in column A as the range A1 to A3, and you need to calculate the average of all these time values.

”Average Time Formula”


To calculate the average, you need to use and understand the AVERAGE function.

  • First, by using the equal sign, enter the average function in the cell.

  • In the next step, enter the Average function and start parentheses.

  • In the next step, direct to the range where you have the time.

  • In the end, enter the closing parentheses, and press the enter button to get the final result.

Source: Excel Champs

The formula for average is Average(A1:A3).

It is extremely important to remember that you need to make sure the cell has the time format in which you wish to calculate the time average. Even if you have forgotten to change the format, then there is need to worry, as Excel can automatically resolve the issue and can change the format of the cell.

With this, it is also important to understand the concept of time within Excel. There are two basic formats to enter time in excel, and excel can automatically adjust the format if you do not follow the format. The first format is a 12 hour format and the second one is a 24 hours format. While averaging time, it is better to have the 12 hours format. In the given picture, the average is different because of the difference in the time.

”A difference in average due to difference in time”

You are likely to get an error if your time values are stored as text values. In that case, you will get the error #DIV/0!.  

”An error due to wrong time values”

However, you can easily solve the error by using the formula Ctrl+Shift+Enter.

Part 2.How to Calculate Average Time with Function?

In the realm of data analysis, one of the most important things are time based measurements. Calculating the average time in excel is one of the most important calculations which often leads to the final result of temporal data. To solve this problem, Excel offers a methodological process and formula that can significantly help in solving complex calculations. Let us assume that we have the following list in excel.

” Average time with function”

For the purpose of verification of time in the standard format, all the values can be highlighted as A2:A11. The next step is to click on the number format to change the format of the numbers from the number tab in the home tab in the top ribbon.

”A change in number formats”

After clicking on the number format, a new tab will appear which will convert the format of the values that Excel has specifically chosen for the values.

”selecting the custom option for the format”

In the picture above, Excel has selected h:mm:ss AM/PM which is the right format for average. However, if the format of your values is not right, you can simply click on the right option from the list of formats, and then use the formula to get the average.

=Average (A2:A13)

By using the formula, you can get the right average as shown in the picture below.

”Result of average time using formula”

This is one formula for getting average in excel. However, there is another formula with a condition to calculate the average in excel. We can use the formula AVERAGE IF to calculate the average time based on a condition in Excel. You simply need to enter the formula AVERAGEIF (A2:A11). When you put formula in the place, excel will automatically correct the format of the value as per standrad.

”use of condition formula for average time”

This is one example of using two different formulas to get the average in excel. These formulas can save most time while calculating and giving accurate results. You can add as many values as you want depending upon your condition. Excel has always been a time saver when it comes to calculating the average time. In my life, I use these formulas to save my time and to get accurate results. However, there is also an alternative to Excel which can also save your time and effort while getting accurate results.

Part 3.Best Alternative to Microsoft Office - WPS Office

Microsoft's PowerPoint and Excel frequently take center stage in the world of digital presentations. But there is good news for Mac users and other users looking for an alternative. WPS Office is a remarkable example of a contemporary, sophisticated office tool suite that not only matches the features of commonplace programs but is also offered for the alluringly low price of nothing. Yes, users can utilize it for free without paying any cost.

WPS Office is a full-service office solution, not simply a substitute. It includes a range of essential tools for both professionals and students. WPS Office unifies word processing, spreadsheets, and yes, presentations into a one program.

Its user interface is slick, intuitive, and most importantly, comfortable. The switch to WPS Office will be simple and natural for those with experience using other office suites. But how may one obtain this no-cost tool? Here is a tutorial for using WPS Office.

Guide to download WPS Office

Step 1: Navigate to the official WPS Office website. The address is www.wps.com.

Step 2: On the homepage, you will find an option to download the software. Given that there are versions for various platforms, make sure to select the one compatible with Mac.

Step 3: Once you click the download button for Mac, the download process will initiate. Wait for the download to complete.

Step 4: Locate the downloaded file, usually in the "Downloads" folder unless you have specified another location.

Step 5: Double-click the downloaded file to begin the installation process. Follow the on-screen instructions, which are straightforward and similar to installing other Mac applications.

Step 6: Once installed, you can find WPS Office in your Applications folder. Launch it, and you are all set to begin creating presentations on your Mac.

It is important to mention that even if WPS Office is free, there are premium versions available that include extra features and no adverts. However, the free edition offers a wealth of features for the typical user that cover the majority of needs.

So, WPS Office is a great choice if you're looking for a productive technique to create PowerPoint on a Mac without spending money. It offers a set of tools that may be used for a variety of activities, making it more than just a substitute. Use WPS Office to embrace the world of cost-free, high-caliber software.

Pros of WPS Office:

Cost-effectiveness: The affordable price of WPS Office is one of its most notable features. Many customers find the free edition to be an affordable option because it contains a number of capabilities that are typically only seen in expensive software.

User-Friendly Interface: WPS Office has an intuitive user interface that makes it simple for both novices and experts to explore and make efficient use of its functions.

Cross-Platform: WPS Office is available for usage on Mac, Windows, Linux, and even Android. This versatility guarantees fluid device-to-device workflow.

WPS Office is quite compatible with other well-known office suites. This implies that documents written in formats like Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint can be opened, edited, and saved without any problems.

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FAQs

1. How do I calculate the time average of a set of time values in Excel?

The process is quite easy. To calculate the time average, first, ensure the time data is in a consistent format (HH:MM:SS). Use the SUM function to add up the time values, and the COUNT function to find the number of entries. Divide the total time by the number of entries to get the average time duration.

2.How do I deal with empty cells while calculating the time average?

Empty cells may disrupt your calculations, and can lead to other problems. You can use the IF function to exclude empty cells from the total time and count. For example, you can use the formula: =SUMIF(range, "<>", "") to only sum non-empty cells.

3. Can I round the average time to a specific precision level?

Certainly yes, you can round the average time to your desired precision. Use the ROUND function with the number of decimal places you want to keep. For instance, =ROUND(AVERAGE(range), 2) will round the average time to two decimal places.

Summary

It is really easy to get the excel time average by using formulas. The article focuses on both formulas that can help in calculating the average. However, another alternative to excel is WPS Office that can also be used on Mac. WPS Office is the best option if you do not have the option of MS Excel.

15 years of office industry experience, tech lover and copywriter. Follow me for product reviews, comparisons, and recommendations for new apps and software.