Calculate Average for Duration Column

callie

Hello, 

I have a column in a sheet that displays the duration for every project in our portfolio. I would like to calculate the average project length. 

When I use the AVG forumula, I get an error that says "# DIVIDE BY ZERO"

Does anyone know how to get the average?

Thanks!

Mike Wilday

Can you share a screenshot of the data with any sensitive information blacked out? It will help us, help you figure out what is going on. 

Andrée Starå

Hi Callie,

Yes, I agree with Mike, Screenshots would help. Also, the formula would help as well. (Delete/replace any confidential/sensitive information before sharing) That would make it easier to help. (share too, andree@getdone.se)

Details about the error message that might help.

#DIVIDE BY ZERO

Cause

Your formula attempted to divide an amount by zero (e.g. 4 / 0 provides a divide by zero error).

Resolution

Use an IFERROR to return a different value in case the formula were to divide by zero. For example,

=IFERROR(Value4 <> 0, 100/Value4, "")

I hope that helps!

Have a fantastic week!

Best,

Andrée Starå

Workflow Consultant / CEO @ WORK BOLD

callie

Sure thing! Here's a screen shot. This is a summary page that I use to build dashboards. The information is linked from each individual project plan. 

I would like to be able to know the average for each of the duration columns:

 

Duration (Blended FCST & Actual)

Intake Duration

Assessment Duration

Develop & Test Duration

Implementation Duration

Close Duration

 

Andrée Starå

Have you tested to add a row in the top that would look at everything below, or maybe we could use the Sheet Summary section?

callie

I have tried to make all the projects children of the top row, but the durations don't sum as a result. 

Can you say more about the Sheet Summary? I'm not as familiar with that feature. 

Andrée Starå

What result do you get if you try and AVG the children?

More info about Sheet Summary: https://help.smartsheet.com/learning-track/smartsheet-intermediate/sheet-summary