When using AVERAGEIFS, the most common questions involve formula errors, unexpected results, and copying the formula across cells; this FAQ covers 3 common troubleshooting topics.
FAQ
What should I do if AVERAGEIFS shows #VALUE! or another error?
- Check whether the referenced cell ranges are correct and aligned with the intended data.
- Make sure the values being averaged are numeric and do not contain stray text or spaces.
- Confirm that the formula uses standard commas and that all parentheses are closed.
- If needed, reopen the Insert Function dialog and verify each argument again.
Why does the AVERAGEIFS result not match what I expected?
- Check whether the average range and each criteria range have the same size.
- Confirm that each condition is written correctly, such as greater than, less than, or not equal to expressions.
- Review the data format and make sure numeric values are not stored as text.
- Narrow the conditions step by step to identify which criterion changes the result.
How can I use AVERAGEIFS in multiple cells?
- Enter and confirm the AVERAGEIFS formula in the first target cell.
- Select that cell and move the pointer to the fill handle in the lower-right corner.
- Drag the fill handle down or across to copy the formula to other cells.
- Check the copied references and use
$where you need to lock a row or column.
Glossary
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| AVERAGEIFS | A function that returns the average of a range based on multiple criteria. |
| Average range | The cell range whose numeric values are included in the average calculation. |
| Criteria range | A cell range used to test whether each row or value meets a condition. |
| Criterion | The condition applied to a criteria range, such as text, a number, or a comparison expression. |
| Absolute reference | A reference that uses $ to lock a row, a column, or both when a formula is copied. |