= Adding error bars to a bar graph in MS Excel 97 =

For EXCEL 2007, 2010 and 2013 a slightly different approach is [[FAQ/errbar07| needed.]] You can also produce these [[FAQ/errbSPSS| in SPSS.]]

 1. 
 Enter the means of the variable to be plotted in one column and the confidence interval half-width for each mean in another column.
 
 1. 
 Click on the chart wizard icon (identified by a graph of coloured bars) or choose CHART on the INSERT toolbar.
 
 1. 
 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'''.
 
 1. 
 Doubleclick on any bar in the resultant graph.
 
 1. 
 Click on the tab called '''Y ERROR BARS''' in the resultant '''FORMAT DATA SERIES''' Window.
 
 1. 
 Click on the display named '''BOTH''' and choose '''CUSTOM'''.
 
 1. 
 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.
 
 1. 
 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.
 
 1. 
 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.

A similar approach can be used for adding error bars to [[FAQ/linebar|line plots of means]] for example, to illustrate 2-way interactions.
 
You can save confidence intervals and means in SPSS 12 or above for use for plotting in EXCEL using the [[FAQ/lbaroms|output management system]].

Mike Griffiths has put this [[attachment:explots.doc | MS Word guide]] together on producing a range of plots in EXCEL.

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