I believe it is the syntax, OP's formula is

=IF((A1:A44)<0,AVERAGE(A1:A44))

which will work if A1 is neither zero nor blank, if A1 is blank or 0 it will
return FALSE
If the OP got FALSE he must have a zero in the first cell


--

Regards,

Peo Sjoblom

Excel 95 - Excel 2007
Northwest Excel Solutions
www.nwexcelsolutions.com
"It is a good thing to follow the first law of holes;
if you are in one stop digging." Lord Healey


"Chip Pearson" wrote in message
...
That was my initial thought -- the extra parentheses -- but the formula
worked both with and without the parens.I tested in Excel 2003. Perhaps an
earlier version would have problems with the extra parens.



--
Cordially,
Chip Pearson
Microsoft MVP - Excel
Pearson Software Consulting, LLC
www.cpearson.com


"Peo Sjoblom" wrote in message
...
I believe the OP has to change it to

=AVERAGE(IF(A1:A44<0,A1:A44))

--

Regards,

Peo Sjoblom

Excel 95 - Excel 2007
Northwest Excel Solutions
www.nwexcelsolutions.com
"It is a good thing to follow the first law of holes;
if you are in one stop digging." Lord Healey


"Chip Pearson" wrote in message
...
Your formula works as long as it is array-entered. Are you sure you've
array entered it? What result do you get?


--
Cordially,
Chip Pearson
Microsoft MVP - Excel
Pearson Software Consulting, LLC
www.cpearson.com


"PA" wrote in message
...
I recall reading this and now cant find it.
A column of data with numerical values, some empty cells and some with
zero's.
I need to calculate the average, but supress cells with zeros from the
calculation.

I tried =IF((A1:A44)<0,AVERAGE(A1:A44)) arrayed entered, but no
go.

Suggestions welcomed, and my thanks.
Paul