Adding error bars to a bar graph in MS Excel 97

Enter the values of the variable to be plotted in one row and the standard errors pertaining to each variable column in another row.
Highlight the row containing the variable values
Click on the chart wizard icon (identified by a graph of coloured bars) or choose CHART on the INSERT toolbar
Under CHART TYPE choose COLUMN and CLUSTERED COLUMN under CHART SUB-TYPE. Work through the windows adding titles for the x and y axes clicking on NEXT to move through the wizard prior to clicking on FINISH
Doubleclick on any bar in the resultant graph
Click on the tab called Y ERROR BARS in the resultant FORMAT DATA SERIES Window
Click on the display named BOTH and choose CUSTOM
Highlight the standard error row in the spreadsheet. The co-ordinates of the standard error row should appear in the '+' box in the CUSTOM section
Click on the window adjacent to '-' and highlight the standard error row. The co-ordinates of the standard error row should appear in the '-' box
Click OK You should now have a bar chart with error bars. Doubleclicking on the error bars and clicking the PATTERNS tab in the FORMAT ERROR BARS window allows the user to change the style, colour or thickness of the lines forming the error bars.

[Last updated on 27 November, 2003]

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