How to Create a Line of Best Fit in Google Sheets [Ultimate Guide]

Are you struggling to visualize patterns in your data? A line of best fit is a powerful tool that can help you make sense of your data points in a Scatter Plot chart. In this ultimate guide, we’ll show you exactly how to create a line of best fit in Google Sheets.

What is a Line of Best Fit?

A line of best fit is a type of trendline specifically designed for scatter plot charts. It allows you to express the relationship between different data points in a visually appealing way. By superimposing this line onto your data, you can easily identify patterns and upcoming trends.

Before we dive into the process, make sure to check out our Google Sheets trendline tutorial if you’re interested in adding trendlines for other types of graphs.

How to Add a Line of Best Fit in Google Sheets

To add a line of best fit in Google Sheets, we first need to create a scatter plot chart. Follow the steps below to get started:

Step 1: Create a Scatter Plot Chart

A scatter plot chart is a mathematical tool that uses dots to visually represent the values of two different numeric variables. Also known as a scatter chart or scatter graph, this chart type is essential in creating a line of best fit.

If you’re unfamiliar with creating scatter plot charts in Google Sheets, don’t worry! We have a comprehensive scatter chart tutorial that will guide you through the entire process.

Sample Sheet

To help you get the hang of it, we’ve prepared a sample data set in Google Sheets that focuses on the weights of 20 boxers. Click here to access the data set and follow along to enhance your skills.

Adding the Line of Best Fit

Now that you have your scatter plot chart ready, let’s move on to adding the line of best fit. Follow these steps:

Step 1: Double Click the Scatter Chart

Double-click on the scatter chart to open the Chart editor menu, located on the right-hand side.

Step 2: Click the Series Section

In the Customize tab of the Chart editor, find and select the section labeled “Series.” This action will open a dropdown menu with additional options.

Scroll down until you see three checkboxes: “Error bars,” “Data labels,” and “Trend line.”

Step 3: Apply the Line of Best Fit

Check the box labeled “Trend line.” This will superimpose the line of best fit onto your scatter chart and present further customization options.

Congratulations! You can now easily visualize the trend of your data with a clear visual representation. Feel free to customize the line’s color, opacity, thickness, or add a custom label.

Related Articles

If you’re interested in further enhancing your Google Sheets charting skills, check out these related articles:

• Add Title and Label Legend to Google Sheets Chart
• Add Trendline in Google Sheets
• Finding the Slope in Google Sheets
• Flipping X and Y Axes
• Create a Chart with Multiple Ranges of Data

Now that you know how to create a line of best fit in Google Sheets, you can take your data analysis to the next level. Happy charting!