Excel Moving Averages (Table of Contents)
- Moving Averages in Excel
- Where to Find Moving Average in Excel?
- How to Calculate Moving Averages in Excel?
Moving Averages in Excel
Moving Average in Excel is used to find the average of rolling iteration data by using the AVERAGE function in multiple iterations. Moving average smooths the discrepancies in the data which may have multiple ups and downs. We can use an inbuilt application for Moving Average which can be accessed from the Data Analysis option under the Data menu ribbon. For this, select the input range and the output cell, this will automatically return the smoothened moving average data. If we want to use the AVERAGE function then, choose at least the last 3 iteration data. Moving Average method is widely used in Demand Forecasting, Prediction of the next value in many fields.
The overall average of the 12 months sale is 184.
But the moving average is a little bit different here. Firstly excel moving average will calculate the average for the first three months i.e. Jan, Feb, and Mar month.
Then it will leave out Jan for the next average calculation and takes only Feb, Mar, and April month data.
Like this moving average technique is taken into consideration the latest data series to identify the trend of the data.
Overall average showed the trend as 184 but moving average showed the trend as 216 based on the latest months data.
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Types of Moving Averages
There are different types of moving averages available like exponential, variable, triangular, weighted, and simple moving average. The most commonly used technique is the Simple Moving Average.
Where to Find Moving Average in Excel?
Moving Average is one of the many Data Analysis tools to excel. We do not get to see this option in Excel by default. Even though it is an in-built tool it is not readily available to use and experience. We need to unleash this tool. If your excel is not showing this Data Analysis Toolpak follow our previous articles to unhide this tool.
After unhiding the Data Analysis Toolpak you will see this under the DATA tab in excel.
Click on Data Analysis to see all the available Data Analysis tools under this tool. We have so many techniques under this belt, we will concentrate only on the Moving Average technique.
How to Calculate Moving Averages in Excel?
To calculate moving averages in excel is very simple and easy. Let’s understand the calculation of moving averages in excel with some examples.
Example #1
We have already seen how moving average works with the simple sales data series. With the help of average formula, we have calculated the excel moving average trend, but in this example, I will calculate the moving average under the Data Analysis tool.
Step 1: I will take the same data as above.
Step 2: Go to Data and Click on Data Analysis.
Step 3: It will open a Data Analysis dialog box. Scroll down and select Moving Average option and click on OK.
Step 4: For Input Range select the sales data from B2 to B13. We have not selected the heading so leave out Labels in First Row check box.
Step 5: Under Interval we need to mention for how many months we need the average to be taken out. I will mention the interval as 3.
Step 6: Select the Output Range cell as C2 cell.
Step 7: Select the Chart Output if you need a chart to show the trend. Click OK to complete the moving average calculation.
Step 8: Now we have resulted from C2 to C13. First 2 cells show #N/A, because we have selected the interval as 3 from 3rd cell onwards we have results.
Example #2 – Create a Moving Average Chart
Now we have understood the concept of moving averages. We can create a moving average chart without calculating the moving averages.
Take the same data for creating a chart.
Step 1: Select the data and insert the column chart.
Step 2: The chart will look as below:
Step 3: Select the chart to go to Layout > TrendLine > More Trendline Options.
Step 4: On the right-hand side you will see TrendLine Options. Select Moving Average and make the Period as 3.
Step 5: Now we have a moving average line in the chart.
Step 6: Make the line solid and change the color.
Things to Remember About Moving Averages in Excel
- We need to specify for how many months we are finding the moving average.
- Based on the recent trend we can make accurate decisions.
- Labels need to be selected if the input range includes headings.
Recommended Articles
This has been a guide to Moving Averages in Excel. Here we discuss its types and how to calculate moving averages in Excel along with excel examples and downloadable excel template. You may also look at these useful charts in excel –
