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FREQUENCY Function in Excel

FREQUENCY Function in Excel(Table of Contents)

FREQUENCY in Excel

The frequency function in excel is used to calculate how many times a number is getting repeated, or in other words, we can say it calculates the occurrence of any number from the selected range of the bin table. If we see the syntax of the Frequency function, we will have data array and bin array, whereas data array is the complete range of data available and bin array is number whose frequency we need to calculate.

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What is the FREQUENCY function in excel?

The FREQUENCY function returns how often values occur within a set of data. It returns a vertical array of numbers.

If you have age data for a group of children, and you want to count how many children fall under different age ranges. Or you have the data of a school student’s and want to see how many students have achieved grade ‘A’, ‘B’, ‘C’ and etc. For the above problems, we could use the FREQUENCY function in Excel.

FREQUENCY Formula in Excel

Below is the FREQUENCY Formula in Excel :

FREQUENCY Formula in Excel

The FREQUENCY Function has two arguments are as below:

  • Data_array – An array or set of values for which you want to count frequencies.
  • Bins_array – An array of intervals (“bins”) for grouping values.

FREQUENCY counts how many times values occur in a dataset. This function has a special characteristic, and its usage is different from another formula. While applying the FREQUENCY Function within a cell, type the formula and then press CTRL+ SHIFT+ ENTER. This creates {} brackets around the formula, and then it interpreted as an array formula by excel. If you simply press ENTER key, then this may return an incorrect result.

As FREQUENCY Function comes under the Statistical functions category, it found under the FORMULAS tab. Please follow the below steps:

  • Click on the FORMULAS tab.

FREQUENCY Function step1

  • Select the More Functions option.

FREQUENCY Function step2

  • Click On the Statistical category.

FREQUENCY Function step3

  • Please select the FREQUENCY Function from the drop-down listed item as per the below screenshot.

FREQUENCY Function step4

  • After clicking on the FREQUENCY function, it will open a pop-up box for Function Arguments.

FREQUENCY Function step5

  • Enter the Data_array, for which you want to count the frequencies.

FREQUENCY Function step6

  • Enter the Bin_array, for which you want to group the values in data_array.

FREQUENCY Function step7

How to Use FREQUENCY Function in Excel?

FREQUENCY Function in Excel is very simple and easy to use. Let us understand the working of the FREQUENCY Function in Excel by some FREQUENCY Formula example.

You can download this FREQUENCY Function Excel Template here – FREQUENCY Function Excel Template

Example #1

We have below some test scores:

FREQUENCY Example 1-1

According to the below intervals, we will apply the FREQUENCY formula.

FREQUENCY Example 1-2

The interval field is the second argument of the FREQUENCY Function Bins_array, which specifies the maximum values for the score ranges. This means the score is to be split into the ranges 0—60, 61-70, 71-80, 81-90 and 90+.

First, select the cells where we want to apply the FREQUENCY formula.

FREQUENCY Example 1-3

The excel formula {=FREQUENCY(B4:B12,D4:D8)} into cells E4:E8 using CTRL+SHIFT+ENTER to complete the formula. This would give a vertical array with 5 values as below screenshot:

FREQUENCY Example 1-4

The final result is shown below:

FREQUENCY Example 1-5

Explanation:

  • The first value will display in cell E4. The result would be 1 because there is only 1 test score <=60.
  • The second value is 3 because there are 3 test scores between 61 and 70.
  • The third value is 1 because there is only 1 test score between 71 and 80.
  • The Fourth value is 4 because there is 4 test score between 81 and 90.
  • Score 90+ there is no value.

Example #2

We can apply the FREQUENCY Function to decimal values also. Let’s take an example of the heights of 11 children (in centimeters).

FREQUENCY Example 2-1

Now we need to calculate the frequency according to the specified Bins field. The FREQUENCY Function into cells C18:C22 is used to display the number of children whose height falls under the below ranges:

0.00-1.25 meter

1.26-2.75 meter

2.76-4.25 meter

4.26-5.75 meter

Over 5.76 meter

FREQUENCY Example 2-2

As shown in the above screenshot, the Formula used for the FREQUENCY distribution is:

{=FREQUENCY(A18:A28,B18:B21)}

The final result is :

FREQUENCY Example 2-3

Things to Remember

  • First, you need to highlight or select the range of cells for the result for applying an array formula.
  • Type the FREQUENCY Function into the first cell of the highlight range and press CTRL+SHIFT+ENTER.
  • FREQUENCY Function in Excel returns an array of values; it must be entered as an array formula.
  • If the formula displays an error like #N/A, it occurs if the array formula is entered into a range of cells that is too large.

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This has been a guide to FREQUENCY Function in Excel. Here we discuss the FREQUENCY Formula in excel and how to use the FREQUENCY Function in Excel along with practical examples and a downloadable excel template. You can also go through our other suggested articles –

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