LINEST function

curator · Mar 14th, 2002, 05:41 PM

how do I use the LINEST funciton to plot a line of best fit on a graph???

thanks

-Curator

Mar 15th, 2002, 03:33 AM

There's a way without using Linest:
select the series in the graph and then select Chart - Add trendline.

If you want to use Linest nevertheless, proceed as follows.
Select two adjacent cells (beside each other) and type the formula
=LINEST(B2:B20;A2:A20)
(assuming your x values are in A2:A20 and your y values are in B2:B20).
Enter the formula with Ctrl-Shift-Enter and not by just pressing enter (this is a special formula called CSE formula or array formula).

Next, assuming the the LINEST results are in D1 and E1, put the following formula in C2:
=A2*$D$1+$E$1
and copy it down along the values in column B. Now add this series to your chart with Chart - Add data.

Marc

curator · Mar 15th, 2002, 05:39 PM

Wow, thanks guys now I feel stupid

thanks

-Curator

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Mar 14th, 2002, 05:41 PM	#1
curator New Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 29	how do I use the LINEST funciton to plot a line of best fit on a graph??? thanks -Curator

Mar 15th, 2002, 03:33 AM	#2
Guest Posts: n/a	There's a way without using Linest: select the series in the graph and then select Chart - Add trendline. If you want to use Linest nevertheless, proceed as follows. Select two adjacent cells (beside each other) and type the formula =LINEST(B2:B20;A2:A20) (assuming your x values are in A2:A20 and your y values are in B2:B20). Enter the formula with Ctrl-Shift-Enter and not by just pressing enter (this is a special formula called CSE formula or array formula). Next, assuming the the LINEST results are in D1 and E1, put the following formula in C2: =A2*$D$1+$E$1 and copy it down along the values in column B. Now add this series to your chart with Chart - Add data. Marc

Mar 15th, 2002, 05:39 PM	#3
curator New Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 29	Wow, thanks guys now I feel stupid thanks -Curator