While it is true, Excel is a computer program that is part of the renowned Microsoft office suite. Which basically consists of an arrangement of rows and columns that work like spreadsheets and in such a way facilitate the management and interpretation of any type of data, according to the requirements of each user.
In consecuense, Microsoft Excel serves to carry out detailed data recording, as well as to process text and perform calculations with mathematical functions. To make matters worse, this tool Microsoft Office It also offers the necessary tools to create charts of different types in order to capture information in a more visual, comfortable and effective way.
Consequently, spreadsheet software it has a utility known as "error bars". Which, mainly, are added to expose a graphical improvement regarding the variability of the plotted data. To know how can you insert themWe invite you to read this post.
Why put an error bar in Excel and not correct the errata?
As we mentioned at the beginning of the post, mainly, error bars in Excel work as a kind of graphical enhancement that allows to visualize the variability of the plotted data in a Cartesian graph. That way, helps to point out the estimated error to give a general idea about the precision of a certain measurement. Generally, error bars are elements applied to those scatter, line, bar, and dot charts.
So provide an additional detailed layer regarding visually presented information. In this sense, the most common is to use the error bars to standard deviation, standard error, minimum or maximum values, and confidence intervals. Now you will surely wonder why it is necessary to put an error bar in Excel instead of correcting the errata obtained.
Therefore, we limit that, this type of bars in the graphs, the readers they will be able to identify error margins and deviations easily and at a glance. Also, you are likely, in certain cases, to encounter a horrifying result that is difficult to correct and therefore, it is preferred to optimize the display of data through an error bar. Valuing that these elements are responsible for representing a measure of dispersion and with it, transform any misleading result in a positive way.
Steps to insert error bars in a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet
As you will see, it is very useful to use error bars in various types of excel charts, with the aim of improving your tasks and, in addition, providing more timely information to readers. However, surely you are wondering what are the steps to follow to insert error bars, correctly in this program
Therefore, we proceed to explain it to you:
- First of all, you have to create your graph in an Excel spreadsheet with the corresponding data. Failing that, enter the program document where is the graphic to use to add error bars.
- Then, click on any area of the graph and then, select the "Graphic elements" button It is located in the upper right corner of that element and contains an icon with the plus sign (+).
- Once this is done, a small menu will be presented with various options available. There, it is important activate the box called “Error bars” and once you choose that option, automatically, you will be able to visualize the elements in question within the graph.
- If you want to modify the error account that appears in your graph, simply click on the arrow next to "Error bars" and select an available option. In general, it is recommended to choose: Standard error, percentage or standard deviation.
- In case you want to configure the amounts of the error bars, click "More options" and then, click on “Vertical error bar” or “Horizontal error bar” to choose the selections you prefer at that point.