Weighted Average in Excel

 

To calculate a weighted average in Excel, simply use SUMPRODUCT and SUM.

1. First, the AVERAGE function below calculates the normal average of three scores.

Normal Average in Excel

Suppose your teacher says, "The test counts twice as much as the quiz and the final exam counts three times as much as the quiz".

2. Below you can find the corresponding weights of the scores.

Weights

The formula below calculates the weighted average of these scores.

Weighted Average WA = 20 + 40 + 40 + 90 + 90 + 90
6
= 370 = 61.67
6

3. We can use the SUMPRODUCT function in Excel to calculate the number above the fraction line (370).

SUMPRODUCT function in Excel

Note: the SUMPRODUCT function performs this calculation: (20 * 1) + (40 * 2) + (90 * 3) = 370.

4. We can use the SUM function in Excel to calculate the number below the fraction line (6).

SUM function in Excel

5. Use the functions at step 3 and step 4 to calculate the weighted average of these scores in Excel.

Weighted Average in Excel

6. You can use named ranges to make the Weighted Average formula easier to understand.

Weighted Average Formula

7. If you want to avoid using SUMPRODUCT, you can use the formula below to calculate the weighted average in Excel.

Weighted Average Calculation

Explanation: this formula performs the same calculation as before, but solely relies on the SUM function. It multiplies each score by its corresponding weight, sums up the products, and then divides by the sum of the weights, providing the weighted average.

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