+ Reply to Thread
Results 1 to 3 of 3

Pivot table summary function, "Average" does not match worksheet function "Average"

  1. #1
    Forum Contributor
    Join Date
    07-10-2007
    Location
    Portland, OR USA
    Posts
    135

    Pivot table summary function, "Average" does not match worksheet function "Average"

    Hi all... first time poster here. Hoping someone can show me the light.

    I have a spreadsheet that contains survey scores and date of scores for individuals. I'm using a pivot table to display scores for individuals by month.

    person Jan Feb Mar Apr GrandTotal
    John 80% 70% 80% 75% 76.25%

    The problem is that the Grand Total Average (calculated by the pivot table) does not return the actual average.

    Anyone have any idea why?

  2. #2
    Forum Expert
    Join Date
    09-09-2005
    Location
    England
    MS-Off Ver
    2007
    Posts
    1,500
    Yes you can not average percentages as the size of each month is different

    the average of 80, 70, 80, 75 is 76.25 as it is 305/4

    but this is likely to be wrong as you can not average an average

    eg 80/100 + 35/50 + 160/200+75/100 the correct average is 350/450 which is 77.8% not 76.25% which is the value taken by averaging averages.

    Regards

    Dav
    Last edited by Dav; 07-12-2007 at 02:58 AM.

  3. #3
    Forum Contributor
    Join Date
    07-10-2007
    Location
    Portland, OR USA
    Posts
    135
    Thanks Dav!

    You helped me realize the pivot table is calculating the actual average and that my expectation was off base. I was indeed looking to validate by calculating an average of an average.

+ Reply to Thread

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts

Search Engine Friendly URLs by vBSEO 3.6.0 RC 1