If you’re working with structured tables or database-style records in Excel, the DAVERAGE function is a game-changer 📊. It allows you to calculate the average of a specific field in your dataset — but only for the rows that meet defined criteria. Whether you’re analyzing sales, survey data, or inventory levels, DAVERAGE helps filter and calculate exactly what you need. In this guide, you’ll learn how to use DAVERAGE in Excel, with keyboard shortcuts for Windows, macOS, and Ubuntu/Linux to streamline your workflow ⌨️.
🧠 What Is DAVERAGE in Excel?
The DAVERAGE function is part of Excel’s Database Functions. It calculates the average of values in a column (field) that meet criteria you define — acting like a filtered AVERAGE function.
🎯 It’s best for:
- 📦 Product or inventory data
- 🧾 Financial records
- 📋 Survey results
- 📊 Any dataset organized in rows with headers
💡 Unlike AVERAGEIFS, DAVERAGE allows more flexible criteria, including multiple conditions and wildcard support.
✅ Syntax of DAVERAGE
=DAVERAGE(database, field, criteria)
| Argument | Description |
|---|---|
database | The range of cells that make up the database (with headers) 📋 |
field | The column to average (can be column label in quotes or number) |
criteria | The range that contains the filtering criteria with headers 📑 |
✅ Returns: The average of the selected field, based on the matching criteria.
✅ Example: Average Sales of Region “West”
Suppose you have this database in A1:C10:
| Region | Sales | Rep |
|---|---|---|
| West | 500 | Alice |
| East | 400 | Bob |
| West | 700 | Carol |
| East | 600 | Dave |
And this criteria table in E1:E2:
| Region |
|---|
| West |
=DAVERAGE(A1:C10, "Sales", E1:E2)
✅ Result: 600 → (500 + 700) / 2
📌 You can also use column numbers like 2 instead of "Sales".
📋 When to Use DAVERAGE
| Use Case | Benefit of Using DAVERAGE |
|---|---|
| Sales reports | Average performance by region, rep, or product |
| Inventory control | Filter and calculate average stock levels |
| Survey analysis | Average responses by demographic |
| Financial modeling | Calculate average spend per category |
| Academic grading | Find average scores by subject or student group |
🎯 Ideal when you’re using criteria tables or filtering with multiple logical conditions.
⌨️ Keyboard Shortcuts for DAVERAGE Workflows
| Action | Windows | macOS | Ubuntu/Linux (LibreOffice Calc) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Start formula | = | = | = |
| Insert Function Dialog | Shift + F3 | Shift + F3 | Ctrl + F2 |
| Auto-fill down | Ctrl + D | Cmd + D | Ctrl + D |
| Edit formula | F2 | Ctrl + U | F2 |
| Insert today’s date | Ctrl + ; | Cmd + ; | Ctrl + ; |
📌 Shift + F3 opens the Function Arguments Wizard, where you can select database, field, and criteria visually.
🐧 DAVERAGE in Ubuntu/Linux (LibreOffice Calc)
LibreOffice Calc supports DAVERAGE:
=DAVERAGE(A1:C10; "Sales"; E1:E2)✅ Uses semicolons (;) instead of commas (depending on locale).
⚠️ Field names must exactly match column headers, including case and spacing.
🧯 Troubleshooting DAVERAGE Errors
| Problem | Fix |
|---|---|
#VALUE! error | Make sure the field matches an exact header or use a number |
#NAME? error | Typo in function name or unrecognized range |
| Incorrect average | Double-check that the criteria range includes a header row |
| No result | No rows match the criteria — revise your filter |
| Too many conditions | Ensure multiple criteria are placed in separate rows/columns properly |
💬 Pro Tips for Power Users
- You can use wildcards in criteria:
*West*will match “Northwest”, “Southwest”, etc. - Criteria ranges can include formulas like
>500or<>East - Use helper columns to add complex conditions (e.g., combine
Region & Sales)
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What does DAVERAGE do in Excel?
It calculates the average of a column in a dataset based on given criteria.
Can I use multiple conditions in DAVERAGE?
Yes — place them in separate rows or columns under appropriate headers in your criteria range.
How is DAVERAGE different from AVERAGEIFS?DAVERAGE uses a separate criteria table, allowing more dynamic and flexible filtering.
Can I reference the field with a column number?
Yes — use 2 for the second column, 3 for the third, etc.
Does DAVERAGE ignore empty cells?
Yes — it averages only non-empty cells that meet the condition.
✅ Conclusion: Filter and Average Smarter with DAVERAGE
The DAVERAGE Excel function is a powerful tool for anyone who works with structured data or needs to perform conditional averages with flexibility. Whether you’re analyzing sales by region, inventory by product type, or survey results by age group, DAVERAGE helps you get precise, criteria-based insights — with support across Windows, macOS, and Ubuntu/Linux.
Complete List of Windows Keyboard Shortcuts
If you need help for Windows, you can find a whole list of all keyboard shortcuts here.
https://keyboard-shortcuts.org/
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