Excel: Creating Line Charts with Error Bars

The information in this article applies to:

• Microsoft Excel for the Macintosh, versions 1.x, 2.2, 3.0, 4.0
• Microsoft Excel for Windows, versions 2.x, 3.0, 4.0
• Microsoft Excel for OS/2, versions 2.2 and 3.0

SUMMARY

In a chart, error bars are a set of vertical lines that connect predefined maximum and minimum values. These bars provide a graphical representation of where data points fall with respect to a set maximum and minimum.

To create a chart in Microsoft Excel with error bars, do the following (the resulting chart is a line chart and not a scatter chart; however, you can use it as an alternative to a scatter chart with error bars):

1. Create three columns of data in a worksheet. The first column contains the actual data points to be plotted, the second contains the minimum value, and the third contains the maximum value.

   NOTE: The second and third columns may contain a single value filled down through all rows of the plot area.

2. Select the range of cells.

3. From the File menu choose New, select Chart, and choose OK.

   NOTE: If you are using Microsoft Excel version 3.0 or later, Microsoft Excel prompts you with the First Column Contains dialog box. From this box, select the option First Data Series.

4. From the Chart menu, choose Add Overlay.

5. From the Format menu, choose Overlay.

6. Select the Hi-Lo Lines option. Enter the number 2 in the First Series In Overlay Chart box. Choose OK.

To remove the horizontal lines between the maximum values and minimum values:

1. Select the series representing the maximum values.

2. From the Format menu, choose Patterns.

3. Change the line pattern to Invisible (if you are using Microsoft Excel version 2.x or earlier) or to None (if you are using Microsoft Excel version 3.0 or later). Choose OK.

4. Repeat steps 1 through 3 for the series representing the minimum values.