Research
Original tests and data on averages and statistics, free to cite.
We test how averages and other statistics are calculated in the tools people use every day, starting with Excel, Google Sheets and LibreOffice Calc. Each study explains what we tested, shows the full results and is reviewed by one of our experts before it goes live.
Our studies
Four quartile methods, one data set, three answers for Q1We tested four quartile methods on 23,760 data sets. The same numbers give two or three answers for Q1, and the outlier verdict changes one time in five.Updated October 2026Excel vs Google Sheets vs LibreOffice: how average functions handle blanks, zeros and textWe tested 8 functions on 20 data sets in Excel, Google Sheets and LibreOffice. See where the results differ and how blanks, zeros and text change them.Updated October 2026
Using our data
You are welcome to quote our findings and share our charts. Please link to the study page you are citing. Every study has a ready citation at the bottom, and our sources and methodology page explains how we test.
Journalists and researchers: for questions about a study or the raw data, email [email protected].