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# X/Y Error Bars

Use the X or Y Error Bars dialog to display error bars for 2D charts.

If an element of a data series is selected, this command works on that data series only. If no element is selected, this command works on all data series.

To access this command...

Choose Insert - X Error Bars or Insert - Y Error Bars (Charts)

An error bar is an indicator line that spans over a range from x/y - NegativeErrorValue to x/y + PositiveErrorValue. In this term, x or y is the value of the data point. When "standard deviation" is selected, x or y is the mean value of the data series. NegativeErrorValue and PositiveErrorValue are the amounts calculated by the error bar function or given explicitly.

The Insert - X/Y Error Bars menu command is only available for 2D charts.

## Error category

In the Error category area, you can choose different ways to display the error category.

### None

Does not show any error bars.

### Constant value

Displays constant values that you specify in the Parameters area.

### Percentage

Displays a percentage. The display refers to the corresponding data point. Set the percentage in the Parameters area.

### Functions

Select a function to calculate the error bars.

Standard Error: Displays the standard error.

Variance: Displays the variance calculated from the number of data points and respective values.

Standard Deviation: Displays the standard deviation (square root of the variance). Unlike other functions, error bars are centered on the mean.

Error Margin: Displays the highest error margin in percent according to the highest value of the data group. Set the percentage in the Parameters area.

### Cell Range

Click Cell Range and then specify a cell range from which to take the positive and negative error bar values.

### From Data Table

For a chart with its own data, the error bar values can be entered in the chart data table. The Data Table dialog shows additional columns titled Positive X or Y-Error-Bars and Negative X or Y-Error-Bars.

### Same value for both

Enable to use the positive error values also as negative error values. You can only change the value of the "Positive (+)" box. That value gets copied to the "Negative (-)" box automatically.

## Error Indicator

Specifies the error indicator.

### Positive and Negative

Shows positive and negative error bars.

### Positive

Shows only positive error bars.

### Negative

Shows only negative error bars.

Related Topics

Trend Lines