How to Create a Histogram in Excel

In this article we will teach you how to Create a Histogram in Excel. In Excel, you can use the Histogram Data Analysis tool to create a frequency distribution and, optionally, a histogram chart. A frequency distribution shows just how values in a data set are distributed across categories. A histogram shows the same information in a cute little column chart.

About Microsoft Excel: (Create a Histogram in Excel)

Microsoft Excel is a spreadsheet developed by Microsoft for Windows, macOS, Android and iOS. It features calculation, graphing tools, pivot tables, and a macro programming language called Visual Basic for Applications (VBA). It has been a very widely applied spreadsheet for these platforms, especially since version 5 in 1993, and it has replaced Lotus 1-2-3 as the industry standard for spreadsheets. Excel forms part of the Microsoft Office suite of software.

Step by Step Guide to Create a Histogram in Excel

Step 1:
Click the Data tab’s Data Analysis command button to tell Excel that you want to create a frequency distribution and a histogram.

Step 2:
When Excel displays the Data Analysis dialog box, select Histogram from the Analysis Tools list and click OK.

Step 3:
In the Histogram dialog box that appears, identify the data that you want to analyze. Use the Input Range text box to identify the data that you want to use to create a frequency distribution and histogram.

Step 4:
Tell Excel where to place the frequency distribution and histogram. Use the Output Options buttons to tell Excel where it should place the frequency distribution and histogram. To place the histogram in the current worksheet, for example, select the Output Range radio button and then enter the range address into its corresponding Output Range text box.

Step 5:
Customize the histogram.

Make choices from the Output Options check boxes to control what sort of histogram Excel creates. For example, select the Pareto (Sorted Histogram) check box, and Excel sorts bins in descending order. Conversely, if you don’t want bins sorted in descending order, leave the Pareto (Sorted Histogram) check box clear.

Selecting the Cumulative Percentage check box tells Excel to plot a line showing cumulative percentages in your histogram.

Optionally, select the Chart Output check box to have Excel include a histogram chart with the frequency distribution. If you don’t select this check box, you don’t get the histogram — only the frequency distribution.