When using custom error bars, remember that the numbers you enter should show how much your results can vary, not the actual data values themselves. For example, if you want to highlight the range from the average (mean) to the highest and lowest numbers in your data, calculate the difference between the average and these points. Then, use those differences for your error bars.
Adding Error Bars in Microsoft Excel
Error bars in Excel can be added to different types of charts, such as scatter plots, dot plots, bar charts, or line graphs. These error bars provide extra details about your data, helping you and your viewers understand how reliable your measurements are. By default, Excel uses standard error when you add error bars, but you can also set them to show a percentage, standard deviation, or a specific value you choose. You can further change the look and feel of your error bars—such as their color, direction, and more—using the Format Error Bars menu.
