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AVEDEV Function
Summary
The Excel AVEDEV function calculates the average of the absolute deviations of data points from their arithmetic mean, providing a measure of variability that shows how spread out values are from the center.
Syntax
AVEDEV(number1, [number2], ... )Parameters
| Parameter | Type | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| number1 | Number |
Yes | First required number, range, or array of numbers |
| number2 | Number |
No | Optional additional numbers, ranges, or arrays (up to 254 more arguments) |
Using the AVEDEV Function
AVEDEV helps analysts quantify data spread by averaging how far each value deviates from the mean, using absolute values to avoid cancellation of positive and negative deviations. It's particularly valuable in statistics and quality control.
Common AVEDEV Examples
Basic Range Calculation
=AVEDEV(A2:A8)Calculates average absolute deviation for values in cells A2 through A8, returning approximately 1.020408 for sample data [4,5,6,7,5,4,3]
Multiple Individual Values
=AVEDEV(10,12,15,14,16)Returns the average absolute deviation from the mean (14.2) for these five numbers
Single Array
=AVEDEV({2,4,4,4,5,5,7,9})Processes the array directly without needing cell references
Frequently Asked Questions
Common Errors and Solutions
#VALUE!
Cause: Non-numeric arguments in ranges or invalid data types
Solution: Ensure all inputs contain numbers or references to numbers
#DIV/0!
Cause: All arguments are empty or contain only ignored values
Solution: Provide at least one numeric value
Notes
- AVEDEV is affected by the unit of measurement (e.g., dollars vs. cents)
- Logical TRUE/FALSE values typed directly count as 1/0
- Use STDEV for standard deviation or VAR for variance as alternatives
Compatibility
Available in: Excel 2007, Excel 2010, Excel 2013, Excel 2016, Excel 2019, Excel 2021, Microsoft 365
Not available in: Excel 2003 and earlier
Content last reviewed: December 9, 2025
Update frequency: As needed
Excel versions tested: Excel 2007+