We only need a single column for the x values, but we will need to have two columns for the y values (see Fig. Again let us assume that we want to fit a set of y values to a cubic expression in x (i. Before getting started, you will need to set up the spreadsheet, but in a different way than for the Regression package. 1 to a cubic function.Īnother way to have Excel perform a non-linear least squares fit is to use the Solver tool. Excel worksheet showing the results for the fit of the data in Fig. 1) by entering the function in the appropriate column and using absolute references to the values in the output spreadsheet (Fig. Also note that we could set up a column of calculated y values based on this fit (for example, in column G of the spreadsheet shown in Fig. For this one must use the standard error about the regression (listed as the Standard Error under the Regression Statistics heading). Note that the values of R and R 2 are not going to be particularly useful in defining how well this expression fit the data, or in comparing this fit to a fit using another expression. The values under the Standard Error and Upper and Lower 95% for each variable have the same meaning as they do in a simple regression. In this case where the polynomial is y = ax + bx 2 + cx 3 + d, the Intercept is d, X Variable 2is a, X Variable 3 is b and X Variable 3 is c. The row labeled Intercept will always be the constant in the polynomial that is not multiplied by x. Each of the rows labeled X Variable, except X Variable 1, correspond to one of the constants in the polynomial. 3 (note that the columns in this spreadsheet have been modified to clearly show their contents). If you have selected to have the results of the fit put in a new worksheet ply, then you will see something like what is shown in Fig. Once the x and y ranges are set, you can set any other parameters as desired, and click OK. 1 this would be columns B through E (cells B2 to E28). While entering the y values is no different than for a linear regression, inputting the x values is very different in that the Input X Range box must contain all of the columns containing a power of x. 1 this would be the cells F2 to F28 (enter F2:F28 in the Input Y Rangebox). In the Input Y Range box type in the cell addresses that contains your y values (or click and drag to select them from the worksheet). Sample spreadsheet that is ready to be fit to the cubic expression y = ax + bx 2+ cx 3 + d using Excel’s regression package.

Once the spreadsheet is set up as shown below, select Tools, Data Analysis from the menu bar and scroll down to Regression, select it and click OK.įigure 1. Note that in addition to x 1, x 2 and x 3 there must be a column containing x 0, which contains only ones.

e., y = ax + bx 2+ cx 3 + d, where a, b, c and d are constants that we need to find), then we would create columns containing the independent variable to the desired powers, as shown in Fig. For example, if we wanted to fit a set of data to a third order polynomial (i. One simple trick is to create columns each containing the variable of interest to the requisite power. It is possible to have Excel perform a non-linear least square regression.

Excel data analysis regression output