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In this article
DAVERAGE averages a column for rows that meet the criteria range.
Syntax
=DAVERAGE(database, field, criteria)| Argument | What it means |
|---|---|
criteria |
A small criteria range: header row copied from the data, conditions in the rows below. Same row = AND, separate rows = OR. |
Examples
Example 1
=DAVERAGE(A1:F500, "Days to Pay", H1:I2)Average payment days for one customer type in one region.
DAVERAGE in practice
Where you will use it
- Average with a criteria range users can edit
- Old-style database reports
- OR criteria on separate rows
Worked example
Database H1:J6 (Region, Customer, Sales: North 12000, South 8000, North 15000, West 22000, South 9000) with three criteria blocks.
| Case | Criteria | Formula | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Region = North | =IFERROR(DAVERAGE(DB,"Sales",CHOOSE(A2,CritA,CritB,CritC)),"error: "&ERROR.TYPE(DAVERAGE(DB,"Sales",CHOOSE(A2,CritA,CritB,CritC)))) | 13500 |
| 2 | Sales > 10000 | =IFERROR(DAVERAGE(DB,"Sales",CHOOSE(A3,CritA,CritB,CritC)),"error: "&ERROR.TYPE(DAVERAGE(DB,"Sales",CHOOSE(A3,CritA,CritB,CritC)))) | 16333.33333 |
| 3 | North OR South | =IFERROR(DAVERAGE(DB,"Sales",CHOOSE(A4,CritA,CritB,CritC)),"error: "&ERROR.TYPE(DAVERAGE(DB,"Sales",CHOOSE(A4,CritA,CritB,CritC)))) | 11000 |
Results calculated in Excel.
Mistakes people make
| Mistake | What to do instead |
|---|---|
| Criteria layout | Headers must match the database exactly |
| OR logic | Put alternatives on separate rows of the criteria range |
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📎 Practice files for this article
- 📗Practice workbook: Database (D…) functions6 tasks on realistic sales data — type your formula, the Check column turns green when it is right. Answers sheet included.⬇ XLSX · 33 KB
Free to use for learning. Files with macros (.bas) are plain text — import them with Alt+F11 → File → Import File, and always test on a copy.
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