How to calculate the median in Microsoft Excel

Calculating the median is useful in many cases. With its MEDIAN function, Microsoft Excel makes it easy to find the median for any set of even or odd numbers. That’s how.

What is the median in Excel?

There median is the number at the center of an ordered set of numbers. For example, if your numbers are 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, your median is 3. Or, if your numbers are 1, 8, and 9, the median is 8.

However, in case the count of the numbers in your series is even, the average of the two middle numbers is considered the median. Specifically, the median is different from the mean, which is the mean of a set of numbers.

Note that Excel ignores blank cells when calculating the median.

How to find the median in Excel

To start the median calculation process, first open your spreadsheet with Microsoft Excel. In the spreadsheet, select the cell where you want to view the resulting median.

In the selected cell, type the following formula using the MEDIANfunction and press Enter. In function, replace D2And D6with the range in which you have your numbers.

=MEDIA(D2:D6)

If you want to enter your numbers into the function directly, please enter your numbers into the function as shown below. Each number is separated by a comma.

=MEDIA(10,20,30,40,50)

You will see the resulting median in the selected cell.

And this is all.

As you work with numbers, you may also find it helpful to find the percentage change in Excel.