Chart trendline formula is inaccurate in Excel (211967)

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Office Excel 2003
Microsoft Excel 2002
Microsoft Excel 2000
Microsoft Excel 97 for Windows
Microsoft Excel 2004 for Mac
Microsoft Excel X for Mac
Microsoft Excel 2001 for Mac
Microsoft Excel 98 Macintosh Edition

This article was previously published under Q211967

SYMPTOMS

The equation displayed for a trendline on an xy (scatter) chart is incorrect. When you manually substitute values for the x variable, Microsoft Excel then plots the trendline incorrectly.

Note The trendline formula should only be used when your chart is an XY Scatter chart. This chart plots both the X axis and the Y axis as values. Line, Column, and Bar charts plot only the Y axis as values. The X axis is plotted only as a linear series in these chart types, regardless of what the labels actually are. Therefore, the trendline will be inaccurate if displayed on these types of charts. This behavior is by design.

CAUSE

Microsoft Excel plots trendlines correctly. However, the equation that is displayed may give incorrect results when you manually type x values. For appearance, each x value is rounded in the number of significant digits that are displayed in the chart. This behavior allows the equation to occupy less space in the chart area. However, the accuracy of the chart is significantly reduced, which can cause a trend to appear to be incorrect.

WORKAROUND

To work around this behavior, increase the digits in the trendline equation by increasing the number of decimal places that are displayed. To do this, follow these steps:

In the chart, select the trendline equation.
On the Format menu, click Selected Data Labels.
Click the Number tab, and then click Number in the Category list.
In the Decimal places box, increase the number of decimal places to 30 so that you can see all the decimal places.
Click OK.

MORE INFORMATION

Modification Type:	Minor	Last Reviewed:	7/27/2006
Keywords:	kbchart kbprb KB211967