Have you ever wondered how to make your charts in Google Sheets more informative and visually appealing? Adding a trendline can help you analyze the overall pattern of your data. In this tutorial, we will learn how to add and customize a trendline in Google Sheets.
Adding a Trendline
To add a trendline to your chart, follow these simple steps:
Step 1: Double-click on the chart you want to add a trendline to.
Step 2: Go to the Customize tab in the Chart Editor, located on the right side of your Google Sheets. Click on the Series menu to view additional options.
Step 3: Check the Trendline box. Google Sheets will automatically add a linear trendline to your chart.
Customizing the Trendline
Now that you’ve added a trendline, let’s explore how to customize it based on your preferences.
Changing the Trendline Type
Google Sheets offers six different types of trendlines, each suitable for different data patterns. Here’s a summary of these trendline types:
- Linear – for linear data sets. If your data shows a consistent upward or downward trend, you can use a linear trendline.
- Exponential – for positive data values that either increase or decrease at an accelerating rate.
- Polynomial – for data sets with fluctuations.
- Logarithmic – for non-zero data values that rapidly increase or decrease in the beginning, then slow down or stabilize over time.
- Power – for data sets that increase at a specific rate.
- Moving Average – to smooth out extreme fluctuations in your data set.
To change the trendline type, go to Type under the Trendline option. Click on the dropdown menu and choose one of the six types.
If you select the polynomial trendline, you can also add a polynomial degree. Simply choose from the options in the dropdown menu under Polynomial degree.
For the moving average trendline, you can choose between a sliding or centered moving average in the dropdown menu under Moving average type. You can also modify the corresponding period located next to the moving average type.
Formatting the Trendline Aesthetics
You can change the color, opacity, and thickness of the trendline by clicking on each respective dropdown menu under the Trendline option.
Adding Labels to Your Trendline
To further enhance your trendline analysis, you can add labels to your trendline. Labeling the trendline as an equation can help determine the mathematical model that best fits the data. To do this, click on the dropdown menu under Label and choose Use equation.
Displaying the Correlation Coefficient, R2
The correlation coefficient R-squared, R2, is a statistical measure used to determine the reliability of the trendline. The closer R2 is to 1 or -1, the more accurate the trendline is. Simply check the “Display R2” box, and Google Sheets will add it to the legend of your chart.
How to Add a Trendline in Google Sheets
Adding trendlines to your Google Sheets charts is a breeze. Trendlines can be added to line, bar, column, or scatter charts.
- Double-click on a chart to open the Chart Editor.
- Click on the Customize tab and choose Series.
- In the “Apply to” dropdown menu, select the data series you want to add the trendline to.
- Scroll down and check the Trendline box to add your trendline. If you don’t see this box, it means that trendlines don’t work with your data.
Conclusion
Adding a trendline to your chart is a simple yet powerful way to analyze the overall pattern of your data. By following a few easy steps, you can quickly add and customize a trendline in Google Sheets. Remember, make sure to have your chart prepared before adding a trendline. Without a chart, no trendline can be added!
Keep in mind that not all trendline types are applicable to every data set. It’s important to carefully study your data and determine the specific trendline type that suits your needs.
Crawlan.com offers a fantastic example sheet that you can use to practice adding trendlines. Happy charting!
