How to Use the TRIMMEAN Function in Google Sheets : Quick & Easy Guide

In this tutorial you will learn How to Use the TRIMMEAN Function in Google Sheets.

The TRIMMEAN function in Google Sheets is a powerful tool for calculating the trimmed mean of a dataset.

The trimmed mean excludes a specific percentage of the highest and lowest values, providing a more robust measure of central tendency when outliers are present.

Here’s a step-by-step guide on How to use the TRIMMEAN function in Google Sheets:

1. Prepare your data:

Enter your data set into a continuous range of cells in your Google Sheet.

2. Enter the TRIMMEAN formula:

In an empty cell where you want the trimmed mean to be displayed, type the following formula:

=TRIMMEAN(data_range, exclude_proportion)

3. Replace the placeholders:

data_range: Substitute this with the actual cell range of your data set. You can enter the range directly (e.g., A1:A10) or select the cells with your mouse.
exclude_proportion: Enter the decimal value between 0 and 1 that represents the proportion of data points you want to exclude from each end (highest and lowest values) of the dataset.

Example:

Let’s say your data set is in cells A1:A10 and you want to calculate the trimmed mean by excluding the top and bottom 10% of the values.

In an empty cell (e.g., B11), enter the formula:

=TRIMMEAN(A1:A10, 0.1)

4. Press Enter:

Google Sheets will calculate the trimmed mean based on your specified parameters.

5. Understanding the results:

The cell will display the trimmed mean of your data set, excluding the specified percentage of outliers from both ends.

Tips:

Experiment with different exclude_proportion values to see how it affects the trimmed mean.
The TRIMMEAN function is particularly useful for datasets with extreme values that might skew the standard mean.
Consider using conditional formatting to highlight outliers in your data set for further analysis.

By following these steps, you can effectively utilize the TRIMMEAN function in Google Sheets to calculate a more accurate representation of the central tendency of your data when outliers are a concern.