Excel Reference Guide 1:

Measures of Central Tendency and Measures of Spread

In this reference guide, we will learn how to create a frequency distribution table, how to
find the measures of central tendency and measures of spread, and learn to create charts
and graphs to help explain our analysis.

Before moving on, please note that working with data can get very confusing especially
when you have a ton of columns and rows. To make your life easier, start to practice
naming your columns and rows with simple headings that are easy to reference.

Frequency Distribution Tables

Pivot Table Method

1. Select “Data Tab”
2. Under Analysis, click the down arrow near “Pivot Table” and select “Create Manual
PivotTable”

3. Select the information you want in your pivot table

4. Drag and drop your column name into the “Row Labels” and “Values” boxes
 5. Change function in values box to “Count”

COUNTIF Method

1. Label your rows with the values you are working with
2. In the next column use the “COUNTIF” function to count your values
a. Please note the “range” is asking for the section of values that you are
working with, and “criteria” is asking for the specific value you want to count
b. Do not forget to lock your range. You can lock your range be adding $’s

3. Drag your equation down so that each row is filled

Measures of Central Tendency

Mean

1. Please not that the function is asking for the list of values you want to average
Median

1. Please note that the function is asking for the list of values you want to find the
median for

Mode

1. Please note that the function is asking for the list of values you want to find the
mode for

Measures of Spread

Range

1. Search for the Maximum value in your list of numbers

a. You can utilize the function: =MAX(
2. Search for the Minimum value in your list of numbers
a. You can utilize the function: =MIN(
3. Subtract the MAX from the MIN, the resulting answer will be your range

Interquartile Range (IQR)

1. Search for Q1
a. Use the function: =QUARTILE.INC( or =QUARTILE.EXC(
b. “array” refers to the list of values you want to find the quartile range for,
“quart” refers to the quartile you want to find
***Make sure to state which function you use***

2. Search for Q3
a. Follow steps to find Q1 but change the quart
3. Subtract Q3 from Q1 the resulting answer will be your IQR
Create a Box and Whisker Graph

1. Select the values you want to make a box and whisker for
2. Click insert, and then select “statistical chart”, and click Box and Whisker
***Note this process does not work for a Mac***

Variance following the equation

1. Label your columns so that it follows the equation to find variance

2. Solve for (x-mean)

***Don’t forget to lock the mean***

3. Solve for (x-mean)^2

a. Use the function =POWER(
b. “number” refers to the value you want to square, cube, etc; “power” refers to
the power you want to multiple the value by square, cube, ect.

4. Sum the values from the (x-mean)^2 column

5. Divide the sum from step for by (N) or (n-1) depending on if you are solving for the
variance of a population or the variance of a sample. The resulting answer is your
variance

Standard Deviation following the equation

1. Use the function: =SQRT( to find the square root of the variance
a. “number” refers to the value you want to find the square root for
Variance using the function

1. Use the function: =VAR.P( or =VAR.S( depending on whether or not you are
looking for the variance of a population or the variance of a sample
a. Please note that the function is asking for the list of values you want to find
the variance for

Standard Deviation using the function

1. Use the function: =STDEV.P( or =STDEV.S( depending on whether or not you are
looking for the standard deviation of a population or the standard deviation of a
sample
a. Please note that the function is asking for the list of values you want to find
the standard deviation for
Create a Bell Curve

1. Sort your values in ascending order

a. Select the column you want to sort
b. Go to “sort”
c. Select the order in which you want to sort your data
d. Choose if you would like to sort just the column or expand the section

2. Title a column distribution or Norm.Dist whatever works best for you

3. Use the function =NORM.DIST( to find the distribution
a. “x” refers to the value you want to find the distribution for; “mean” refers to
the mean of your data; “standard_dev” refers to the standard deviation of
your data; “cumulative” type “FALSE”
***Don’t forget to lock the values that need to be locked***

4. Drag and drop the equation so that the rest of your rows are filled
5. Highlight your “distribution” column and the column of values you have been
working with
6. Go to insert
7. Select Chart
8. Click the down arrow on “Scatter”
9. Choose the chart you would like to create
***Note, if the chart does not come out as a curve, you may have to edit the axis***
***Note, if your chart comes out as zigzag lines you most likely forgot to order
your data***