In Microsoft Excel, how do I perform statistical analysis?

On this page:

• Introduction
• Installing the Data Analysis tools (Excel 2000 and 2002)
• Add the Analysis Toolpak:
  • Excel 2007
  • Other versions of Excel
• Using the Analysis Tools

Introduction

Microsoft Excel has a built-in suite of tools that perform regression analysis and calculate statistical data. These tools are installed by default in Excel for Macintosh (as part of Office 98, 2001, v.X, 2004, and 2008); you need only add them from the Tools menu. However, to use these tools in Excel 2000 or 2002 for Windows, you must first install the tools from the Office CD, and then add them from the Tools menu.

First, check to see if the Data Analysis tools are already installed. In Excel, under the Tools menu, if you do not see an entry for Data Analysis, the tools are not installed on your computer.

Installing the Data Analysis Tools (Excel 2000 and 2002)

To install the Data Analysis tools, follow the steps below. If you are using Excel for Macintosh or Excel 2003 or 2007 for Windows, skip to the Add the Analysis Toolpak section below.

1. Insert your Office CD. If a list of options appears automatically, skip to step 5. Otherwise, continue to step 2.
   
   
2. From the Start menu, select either Control Panel, or Settings and then Control Panel.
   
   
3. Double-click Add/Remove Programs. Depending on which version you have installed, select Microsoft Office XP Professional with FrontPage, Microsoft Office 2000 Professional, or Microsoft Office 2000 Premium.
   
   
4. In Windows 2000 and XP, click Change. In Windows 95, 98, and Me, click Add/Remove.
   
   
5. Select Add or Remove Features, and then click Next.
   
   
6. Click the + (plus sign) next to Microsoft Excel for Windows. Then, click the + (plus sign) next to Add-ins.
   
   
7. Click the icon next to Analysis ToolPak, and then click Run from My Computer.
   
   
8. Click Update Now to update the add-ins, and then click OK after setup completes.
   
   
9. In the Add/Remove Program Properties box, click OK, and then close the control panel.
   
   
10. Follow the steps in the "Add the Analysis Toolpak" section below.

Add the Analysis Toolpak

Excel 2007

1. From the Office Button menu, select Excel Options.
   
   
2. Click Add-ins, and then in the "Manage" box, select Excel Add-ins. Click Go.
   
   
3. In the "Add-Ins available" box, check Analysis ToolPak, and then click OK.

   If Analysis ToolPak is not listed in the "Add-Ins available" box, click Browse to locate it.

4. If you see a prompt stating that the Analysis Toolpak is not currently installed on your computer, click Yes to install it.

The information above comes from the Excel 2007 help document "Load the Analysis ToolPak".

Note: The interface for Office 2007 programs is significantly different from that of older versions, with different terms and concepts; see For Office 2007, what are some new interface features?

Other versions of Excel

1. In Excel, from the Tools menu, select Add-ins... .
   
   
2. Click the Analysis Toolpak checkbox, and then click OK.

Using the Analysis Tools

To use the Analysis Tools once they are installed and added, from the Tools menu, select Data Analysis. The Data Analysis dialog box will appear, containing a menu of available analysis tools. For an overview of the tools, in the dialog box, click Help.

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