Adding unique standard error bars to a scattergraph in Microsoft Ex-
cel (for Mac 2011)
**Please also view the video tutorial ([Link]/SCSciencevid) in conjunction
with these instructions to see clearly the stages**
These instructions assume the following:
- Any repeats taken have been averaged and your standard error calculated
- Use of Microsoft Excel for Mac 2011
Setup of your spreadsheet to facilitate error bars for the scattergraph
1) Open up your data spreadsheet in MS Excel
2) Copy the values for your independent variable into a new horizontal row
3) Highlight the data for your mean, standard deviation (s.d.) and standard error
(s.e.) and choose ‘Edit’ and ‘copy’
4) Highlight the horizontal rows to paste the data into (underneath your independent
variable) and choose ‘Edit’ --> ‘Paste special’ --> ‘Values’ (this copies only the num-
bers and none of the formulae, to keep it simple!)
* Horizontal layout of this data appear to be important in MS Excel correctly applying
unique error bars to each of your data points *
5) Highlight the data for your independent variable and mean - the data you wish to
create the scattergraph with
6) Choose ‘scattergraph’ under the chart tab
7) Adjust the titles for the graph and axes under the chart layout options
Adding Standard Error bars to your scattergraph (AFTER above setup)
8) Select one data point on the scattergraph - this should highlight all your data
points
9) Right /Secondary click on the first data point and choose ‘Format data series’
10) Select from the box which appears ‘Error Bars’ --> ‘Y Error Bars’ --> ‘Both’ and
‘Cap’
11) Select ‘Custom’ and choose ‘Specify value’
12) Click on the square to the right of the ‘Positive error value’ and on the spread-
sheet highlight all of the cells for standard error (these will be your positive error val-
ues for each point). Click on the square to the right again to accept the selection
13) Click on the square to the right of the ‘Negative error value’ and on the spread-
sheet highlight all of the cells for standard error (these will be your negative error val-
ues for each point). Click on the square to the right again to accept the selection
14) Choose ‘OK’ and then ‘OK’ again to return to the graph.
15) Each standard error is now shown as a standard error bar (positive and negative
value) for each associated unique point on the graph.
16) If you wish to view the chart full page right/secondary click on the chart and select
‘Move chart’ --> ‘New Sheet’ (rename if desired). You can change between the chart
and spreadsheet using the tabs at the bottom.
