How can I add a Gaussian curve to a histogram on Excel?

[Guest]

Trying to add a Gaussian (Normal Distribution) curve to a histogram, but I
dont know how. Any tips or advice?

Thanks

 

[Barb Reinhardt]

This may help

http://www.tushar-mehta.com/excel/charts/normal_distribution/

 

[Mike Middleton]

JC1379 -

Trying to add a Gaussian (Normal Distribution) curve to a histogram, but I
dont know how. Any tips or advice? <

One way is to use a combination chart, with a Column chart type for the
vertical histogram bars and an XY (Scatter) chart type for the normal
density curve.

You could start with the chart generated by my free Better Histogram add-in,
available at www.treeplan.com, which produces a combination chart (so that
the horizontal axis is more properly labeled), and then you could change
that chart's XY (Scatter) data series to be based on worksheet data using
NORMDIST for the curve. You must be careful about scaling so that the Column
chart type and the XY (Scatter) chart type are aligned correctly.

- Mike
www.mikemiddleton.com

 

[Guest]

Mike,

I just downloaded your Better Histogram and the PDF. When I tried to overlay
a normal curve on the secondary axis (so that I can dispense with the
secondary axis line, etc.), it just didn't fit the curve over the entire
spectrum of values (those from the histogram on the primary axis)?

Any thoughts?

Thanks

Ariel

 

[Mike Middleton]

Ariel -

Appropriate scaling of all four axes is critical.

I do not have time to describe step-by-step instructions for the task, but I
have just posted an example worksheet of the results at
http://www.mikemiddleton.com (bottom left corner of the web page).

- Mike

 

[Guest]

Excellent, this is better than an explanation!

Ariel -

Appropriate scaling of all four axes is critical.

I do not have time to describe step-by-step instructions for the task, but I
have just posted an example worksheet of the results at
http://www.mikemiddleton.com (bottom left corner of the web page).

- Mike