How to Add Error Bars in Google Sheets [Easiest Steps]

Inserting error bars is easy peasy if you follow our quick instructions

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Key notes

  • Sheets allow you to display error bars inside a document. The error bars are graphical representations of the different data.
  • This option allows you to see an objective representation of your data to observe any measurement differences.
  • It is possible to add customizedย error bars on Google Sheets, and here you can find out how.
  • Even more, you can learn how to add standard deviation bars in Google Sheets without effort.
how to add error bars in Google Sheets

You came to the right place if you’ve ever wondered how to add error bars in Google Sheets.

Like in Microsoft Excel, Sheets also allows you to display error bars inside a document. The error bars are graphical representations of the different data introduced in the software.

This option allows you to see an objective representation of your data to observe any measurement differences.

In this article, we will explore the best way to add error bars inside your Google Sheets documents. Read on to find out more.

How can I add error bars in Google Sheets?

1. Create a graph and check the Error bars option

    In order to add error bars on your graph in Google Sheets, you have to select the option from the chart editor. See the entire process below to apply it on your spreadsheet.

  1. 1. Check to see if you have the correct data inserted inside your Sheets document.

  2. 2. If the data is correct, select a blank cell and click on the button Insert chartย found at the top-right corner of your Sheets window.

    Insert chart option - how to add error bars in google sheets
  3. 3. A new pop-up will appear on the screen without any values being selected.

  4. 4. Click theย X-axisย of your document, then select the cells you want to use for the X-axis -> pressย Ok.

  5. 5. Click onย Seriesย -> Select the cell (do this for all the series you want to use in your error bars).

  6. 6. Sheets will automatically assign different colors to the specific values you entered (if there arenโ€™t any different colors then it means that your data is not inserted correctly).

    Sheets will automatically assign different colors to the specific values you entered
  7. 7. Select theย Customize tabย ->ย Expand seriesย -> Tick the box next to theย Error barsย option -> Choose a percentage or exact value from the drop-down menu.

    tick the error bars option google sheets
  8. 8. After this process is completed ->ย Save your document.

  9. 9. If you expand your graph you will now be able to see the error bars represented.

2. Add standard deviation error bars in Google Sheets

  1. Open a new Google spreadsheet and create a graph.
  2. Double-click on your graph to open the chart editor and Click on Series.
  3. Scroll down and tick the error bars box, and go to select the Type.
    Scroll down and tick the error bars box, and go to select the Type.
  4. Select the Standard Deviation type.
    select the Standard Deviation
  5. Set the value of the standard deviation error bars to finish.
    set the Standard Deviation value

Today’s how-to article discussed the best way to add error bars inside your Google Sheets documents. This option will enable you to visually observe any differences in values, represented as a graph.

We hope this guide helped you understand how to add these essential elements to your documents.

If interested, check out this guide to learn a few tips to fix Formula Parse Error On Google Sheets to save you time.

Please feel free to let us know if this guide helped with a clear answer by using the comment section found below.

If you want to read more about Google Sheets, go ahead and visit our Google Sheets section.

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