You should be charting all of your data points that you're using to calculate the average and standard deviation. But you don't have to calculate those. Select all of your data for the chart and use the Aggregate checkbox on the first configuration tab. It'll default to sum, so go ahead and change the aggregation to average. Then when you go into one of the food series and add the error bar, it'll be based off the raw data, which will be different for each frog. Answer from AdministrativeGift15 on reddit.com
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Google Support
support.google.com › docs › thread › 2402445 › google-sheets-adding-standard-deviation-as-an-error-bar-on-bar-charts
Google Sheets: Adding standard deviation as an error bar on bar charts - Google Docs Editors Community
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/googlesheets › set error bars using stdev dynamically
r/googlesheets on Reddit: Set error bars using stdev dynamically
January 24, 2025 -

I have a table of chapters, where I have calculated how long it took (on average) for each student to read a chapter. In my second row, I have each chapter average length, and in the third row I have the standard deviation (stdev) computed per chapter.

I have created a column graph showing the average per chapter. I want to add the standard dev to each column, potentially as a "error bar". Currently it is set individual "error bars" per series. However, new entries are being entered by users, so the mean and stdev for each chapter is changing. Mean and numerical values are automatically calculated, and the bar graph dynamically updates, but not the error bar (stdev), which is a constant.

Is it possible to have the error bars rely on cell B3:F3 please? If so, how?

Here is a sample sheet: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1QlZ6TzCfzdWTV3b2edq-MY7ljkxBGY0C5adTxj_lUk4/edit?usp=sharing

People also ask

What do standard deviation bars represent in Google Sheets?
Standard deviation bars show the variability of data around the mean.
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sourcetable.com
sourcetable.com › how-to-google-sheets › how-to-add-standard-deviation-bars-in-google-sheets
How To Add Standard Deviation Bars In Google Sheets
Is it possible to calculate standard deviation bars automatically in Google Sheets?
Once you select "Standard deviation" as the error type, Google Sheets handles the calculations and application seamlessly.
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template.net
template.net › google › how to add standard deviation bars in google sheets
How to Add Standard Deviation Bars in Google Sheets
How do I add standard deviation bars to a scatter plot in Google Sheets?
Click on your scatter plot, select "Advanced edit," go to the "Customize" tab, and under "Series," choose "Standard deviation" as the error type.
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template.net
template.net › google › how to add standard deviation bars in google sheets
How to Add Standard Deviation Bars in Google Sheets
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Google Support
support.google.com › docs › thread › 198456215 › how-to-add-standard-deviation-lines-to-a-bar-graph
How to add standard deviation lines to a bar graph - Google Docs Editors Community
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Coefficient
coefficient.io › home › how to add error bars in google sheets: a step-by-step guide
How to Add Error Bars in Google Sheets: A Step-by-Step Guide
November 20, 2023 - Use the data from the “Standard Deviation” column to display error bars. Adjust the color and style of the error bars as needed. Adding error bars to a chart in Google Sheets is a simple and effective way to show the variability of your data.
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Template.net
template.net › google › how to add standard deviation bars in google sheets
How to Add Standard Deviation Bars in Google Sheets
September 2, 2025 - Here, you can seamlessly add error bars to your chart. Choose “Standard deviation” as the error type, letting Google Sheets automatically compute and apply standard deviation bars, elevating your scatter plot’s analytical depth.
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Google Support
support.google.com › docs › answer › 9085344
Add data labels, notes, or error bars to a chart - Computer - Google Docs Editors Help
To the right of the column with your X-axis, add your notes. If your notes dont show up on the chart, go to Step 2. ... Double-click the chart you want to add notes to. At the right, click Setup. In the box next to "Series," click More Add labels. Enter the data range with your notes.
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Coursera
coursera.org › coursera articles › data › data analytics › how to create custom error bars in google sheets
How to Create Custom Error Bars in Google Sheets | Coursera
June 4, 2025 - To customize your error bar appearance, choose the type of error bars you want to add from the available options: Standard deviation, Percent, or Constant.
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Sourcetable
sourcetable.com › how-to-google-sheets › how-to-add-standard-deviation-bars-in-google-sheets
How To Add Standard Deviation Bars In Google Sheets
Click on the "Insert" menu at the top of Google Sheets and select "Chart". The chart editor will appear on the right side of your screen. In the chart editor, select the type of chart you want to create.
Published   October 30, 2024
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YouTube
youtube.com › project dragonfly
Google sheets bar graph with standard deviation - YouTube
More calculated than it should be but this will get the job done.
Published   June 6, 2021
Views   27K
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Coefficient
coefficient.io › home › how to do standard deviation in google sheets
How To Do Standard Deviation in Google Sheets - Coefficient
October 18, 2023 - In the Chart Editor panel on the right, click the “Chart type” dropdown menu and select “Scatter chart.” · Once your scatter chart appears, click the “Customize” tab in the Chart Editor.
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Excelmatic
excelmatic.ai › blog › how-to-add-standard-deviation-bars-in-google
How to Add Standard Deviation Bars in Google Sheets (And Why You Should) - Excelmatic
August 13, 2025 - Learn how to visualize data variability by adding standard deviation bars in Google Sheets. Plus, discover how Excelmatic automates this process for faster insights.
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Excelmatic
excelmatic.ai › blog › how-to-add-standard-deviation-bars-in-google-1
How to Add Standard Deviation Bars in Google Sheets (The Easy Way) - Excelmatic
Learn how to add standard deviation bars in Google Sheets effortlessly, with or without AI assistance. Plus, discover how Excelmatic can automate this process for you.
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Google Groups
groups.google.com › g › google-visualization-api › c › 6jC9YFOY8L4
Error Bars and Spreadsheets
The problem is that I can't find a way to set unique values for each error bar. Error bars are configurable under "Advanced Settings"->Customize. I can set them to be None, Constant or Percent.
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YouTube
youtube.com › watch
*Using Google Sheets for Graphing w/Error Bars - YouTube
Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.
Published   May 5, 2020
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The Bricks
thebricks.com › resources › how-to-make-a-standard-deviation-graph-in-google-sheets
How to Make a Standard Deviation Graph in Google Sheets
Select the cells containing your product names and their averages. Make sure you don't include the standard deviation values in this initial selection. Go to the menu and click Insert > Chart. Google Sheets will ...
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Sourcetable
sourcetable.com › how-to-google-sheets › how-to-add-error-bars-in-google-sheets
How To Add Error Bars In Google Sheets
Select standard deviation from the drop-down menu in the Customize Series section to display error bars using data from the standard deviation column. What should I do if my error bars do not appear as expected?
Published   October 30, 2024