It doesn’t match because the trendline was linear and the scatter plot is not linear. You may wonder why it does not match with the slope of the trendline. Method#2 Calculating Slope Through the SLOPE Formula You can also calculate the slope of the scatter plot itself by a simple formula.

Here, the m or the slope is -1.9558 which shows that the dependent and the independent variables are negatively related. Y = -1.9558x + 39.606 this is the equation you should get if you create the trendline according to the data set in the picture. If you notice the equation, you can compare it with the y=mx+c linear equation. You will get an equation inside of the graph. Now, double click on the trendline that has been created on the graph and you will see a Format Trendline options pop up on the right hand side.įorm those options, tick the Display Equation on Chart option, You will find that option at the bottom. Then to add a trendline, go to Chart Elements, or from the green + sign at the top right corner of the graph, select a linear trendline. Go to the Insert ribbon and from the Recommended Charts select a scatter chart. Method#1 Calculating Slope Through a Trendlineįirst, you have to create a data set that contains both dependent variables or y and independent variables or x. Now, let’s look at how to find slope of the trendline in excel. The use of slope is deeply embedded into the dynamics of economics. So, let’s say if the price of a juice bottle increases by $1 the demand increases by 200 bottles. We can compare it to the linear equation of y=mx+c and find m to be 200 which is the slope. Slope = change in y/change in x = rise/runįor example, if an equation is y=200x+50. In other words, the slope is the measure of steepness.

Slope measures the change of a dependent variable in respect to the change of an independent variable. So, today let’s learn how to find slope of trendline in excel. That relationship can be determined by the slope of the trendline. There is another use of the trendline, you can use your expected value of the independent variable and get an assumed or estimated dependent variable.įor example, you expect that the sales of ice cream will go down in winter by 30%, you can use that estimation to get the expected revenue from a trendline.Ī trendline can also be used to determine the relationship between the dependent and independent variables. Trendlines are used to forecast a certain phenomenon by evaluating a historical dataset. The line that forecasts in excel is called a trendline. The software can also be used to visualize errors and forecasts. We all know how excel can be used to visualize data through graphs and charts.

Linear trendline excel equation