Handy functions: MAX, MIN, COUNT and ROUND
7 minutes · 5 steps · free, no sign-up
Once you can add things up with SUM, a small family of functions answers most everyday questions: who scored highest, what is the lowest, how many entries are there and what is the average? You will use all of them on a list of scores, and finish by rounding an untidy average.
- Find the highest and lowest values
- Count how many numbers are in a range
- Work out an average
- Round a number to a set number of decimals
Click a cell and start typing. Enter edits, Tab moves right, arrows move, Delete clears.
Quick referenceThe functions
=MAX(B2:B7) largest number
=MIN(B2:B7) smallest number
=COUNT(B2:B7) how many numbers
=AVERAGE(B2:B7) the mean
=ROUND(E5,1) round E5 to 1 decimal placeThe key ideasSummary: Handy functions: MAX, MIN, COUNT and ROUND
Every one of these functions takes a range and gives back one answer. MAX and MIN find the ends of the list, COUNT counts cells that contain numbers (it skips text and blanks) and AVERAGE adds and divides for you.
ROUND(number, places) changes the value, not just how it looks, which is different from formatting. Use it when the rounded figure is what you want to carry on calculating with.
Watch out forCommon mistakes
- Using COUNT on text.
COUNTcounts only numbers. To count names or any filled cell,COUNTAis the one you want. - Including the heading in the range.
B1:B7would include the word "Score". Functions skip text, but it is better to select just the data. - Rounding too early. Round only at the end. If you round each step, small errors build up.
- Confusing ROUND with formatting. Formatting to 1 decimal place only changes how a number is shown. The cell still holds all its digits.
Next stepTry it in the real Google Sheets
In Google Sheets select a range of numbers and look at the bottom right of the window: it shows the sum, average, minimum, maximum and count without you typing anything. Handy for a quick check, but use a formula when you want the answer to stay on the sheet.