Excel: Selecting Trend With Data Series May Change Cell Values

• Microsoft Excel for Windows, versions 4.0, 4.0a, 5.0
• Microsoft Excel for the Macintosh, versions 4.0, 5.0

SUMMARY

In Microsoft Excel, when you choose the Trend option in the Series dialog box, the values in the selected range may be changed. When you use the Trend option, a new step value is calculated from the values in the selected range, and the selected values are replaced by the results from the Trend function.

MORE INFORMATION

The Series dialog box provides a Trend option that allows you to create a linear or exponential growth trend based on data in the selected range. When you select Trend in the Series dialog box, Microsoft Excel calculates a step value based on the data in the top or left cells of the current selection, this selection overrides any value entered in the Step Value box. Trend also replaces any values in the selected range with values resulting from the Trend function.

Example

1. In a new worksheet, enter the following data:
   
   A1: 1
   A2: 2.5



2. Select cells A1 to A10.



3. Do the following to bring up the Series dialog box:
   
   In Microsoft Excel version 5.0, from the Edit menu, choose Fill, and then choose Series.
   
   In Microsoft Excel version 4.0, from the Data menu, choose Series.



4. In the Series dialog box, select the Trend option and choose OK.

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Last Reviewed: March 23, 1999