Leading the way in Microsoft Office Development

Smoothing

When you smooth a line it is not necessarily the line of best fit.

This option can be selected from the Data Series dialog box.

In general the smooth line is a cubic spline which is a series of curves constructed to join seamlessly.

The line of bext fit is called a trend line.

Right click on a marker to display the shortcut menu.

Format Data Series Point

Do I need a Trend Line ?

It is often nicer to emphasis any trends that occur in your data.

Trend lines can be helpful when you are analysing data because they can forecast future values based upon your current data.

Forecasting data using a trend line though will only be accurate if you choose the correct type of trend line.

Select (Chart > Add Trend Line)

Look at the shape of your chart and select one from a possible six types of trend lines.

Step 2 - Linear

Creates a best fit straight line that shows how values in a data series increase or decrease at a steady rate.

Step 3 - Logarithmic

Creates a best-fit curved line that illustrates how data values increase or decrease and then level out.

You can use both negative and positive values.

Step 4 - Polynomial

Creates a curved line illustrating fluctuations in the data values.

You can specify an order value to indicate the maximum number of fluctuations or bends that occur on the line.

Step 5 - Power

Creates a curved line to compare measurements that increase at a specific rate.

This can only be used with positive values.

Step 6 - Exponential

Creates a curved line that shows data values that increase or fall at increasingly higher rates.

This can only be used with positive values.

Step 7 - Moving Average

Reduces the fluctuations in the trend line to a show smoother pattern.

You use the period field to specify the number of data values to create the line.

Excel creates the line by averaging the specific data values.

For example if the period value is 2, the first two values are averaged, that value is the first point on the line, and then the second and third values are averaged and that becomes the second point.

Step 8 - Trend Line Options

Step 9 - Things to Remember