Question

I have a large reporting table in Excel that looks similar to the following. I need to add all the numbers for each name and average all the percentages.

Name    Number    Percent
-------------------------
Alan    1         20%
Barb    2         20%
Corey   3         40%
Barb    1         30%
Alan    2         20%
Daniel  3         80%
Alan    1         10%

I’m looking for:

Name    Number    Percent
-------------------------
Alan    4         17%
Barb    3         25%
Corey   3         40%
Daniel  3         80%

Sheet One will have the raw data and sheet two will have the summary. How can I add one column (“Number”) while grouping by another column (“Name”)? How would this function change to average the third column the same way? (Not using VBA)

Answer 1

If you really want simple sums and averages over a “large” data set, a pivot table is by far the quickest solution.

Looking at your sample results, however, I suspect you really want a weighted average on Percent where Number is the weight (even though some of the sample results look squirrelly, but I am guessing this is because your sample results are representative of a larger data set). This can be done quickly with pivot tables as well, using a helper column in the data table.

• Add a new column in the data sheet called ExtPercent where the calculation is Number * Percent
• Create the pivot table to include the new column in the source data
• Place Name in the row area
• Add a calculated field to the PT called “Weighted Average Percent”
  with formula = ExtPercent / Percent and add this to the data area
• You can, of course, add the sum of Number to the data area as well