I want to take a data series and plot the mean and standard deviation on a
bar graph. How do I do this in excel?

Do you want something akin to an X bar Schart? Or do you want a graph that
shows X bar with maybe an Inner Quartile Range?

"amg" wrote in message
...
I want to take a data series and plot the mean and standard deviation on a
bar graph. How do I do this in excel?

This might describe one way to approach the creation of the chart:

Assuming your data starts in cell A1, as an example create a simple
clustered column chart based on the following data. The data range for this
example should span A1:E8.

Data Mean -1sd +1sd
A 55 44.71 34.62 54.81
B 34 44.71 34.62 54.81
C 31 44.71 34.62 54.81
D 48 44.71 34.62 54.81
E 58 44.71 34.62 54.81
F 46 44.71 34.62 54.81
G 41 44.71 34.62 54.81

The data in the column €œData€� is your original source.

The €œMean€� is calculated using the formula

=AVERAGE($B$2:$B$8)

The €œ-sd€� is calculated using the formula

=$C2-STDEV($B$2:$B$8)

The €œ+sd€� is calculated using the formula

=$C2+STDEV($B$2:$B$8)

Put you curser in cell A1 and create a simple clustered column chart. After
the chart is created, you should have four columns for each Y-axis tick mark
label. Now, convert the €œMean€�, €œ-1sd€�, and €œ+1sd€� series to lines. To
convert each series to a line, click on one of the columns for the €œMean€�.
Right-click on your mouse - Chart Type - Line. Go through the same process
for the €œ-1sd€� and €œ+1sd€� series. Now all you have to do is format the chart
to your liking.

----
Regards,
John Mansfield
http://www.pdbook.com



"amg" wrote:

I want to take a data series and plot the mean and standard deviation on a
bar graph. How do I do this in excel?

I've just posted a sample on my web site:

http://peltiertech.com/Excel/Charts/RunChtLines.html

- Jon
-------
Jon Peltier, Microsoft Excel MVP
Peltier Technical Services
Tutorials and Custom Solutions
http://PeltierTech.com/
_______

amg wrote:

I want to take a data series and plot the mean and standard deviation on a
bar graph. How do I do this in excel?