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Descriptive Statistics

The Descriptive Statistics function generates statistical values from the Base range using the Statistic(s) specified and places the results as a table at the Placement.

Settings

Statistic (up to 6)

The statistic to derive for each column (or row depending on the Direction). The following are available:

  • Average

    The arithmetic mean.

  • Count

    A count of non-empty cells

  • Kurtosis

    Characterizes the relative peakness or flatness of a distribution compared with the normal distribution. Positive indicates a relatively peaked distribution while negative indicates a relatively flat distribution

  • Maximum

    The largest value

  • Median

    The middle value

  • Minimum

    The smallest value

  • Mode

    The most frequently occurring value

  • Range

    The difference between the maximum and the minimum,

  • Sample Variance

    The variance

  • Skewness

    Characterizes the degree of asymmetry of a distribution around its mean. Positive skewness indicates a distribution with an asymmetric tail extending toward more positive values. Negative skewness indicates a distribution with an asymmetric tail extending toward more negative values.

  • Standard Deviation

    The standard deviation is a measure of how widely values are dispersed from the average value (the mean).

  • Standard Error

    The Standard error of the mean.

  • Total

    The total.

Add Labels

If set to Yes and the Direction is Down or None, labels appear to the left of the data.

Place Formula

If set to Yes, the formulas are left in the Placement. If set to No, only the values appear in the Placement.

Example

Calculate the kurtosis and standard deviation of temperatures.

image92.png
image93.png

Base

Cell

$C$3:$E$3

Direction

Down

End

All cells are empty

Placement

Cell

$C$13

Setting

Value

Statistic

Kurtosis

Statistic

Standard Deviation

Statistic

Statistic

Statistic

Statistic

Add Labels

No

Place Formula

No

Exponential Smoothing

The Exponential Smoothing function is used to smooth out irregularities (peaks and valleys) to easily recognize trends.

The function uses the smoothing constant (α) which is associated with the Damping Factor (1- α). The larger the damping factor, the more the peaks and valleys are smoothed out. The smaller the damping factor, the closer the smoothed values are to the actual data points.

Settings

Damping Factor

The smoothing constant to apply. This can be a fixed number or a cell reference which contains the Damping Factor to apply.

Standard Error

If set to Yes, a Standard Error column is added to the Placement.

Place Formula

If set to Yes, the formulas for the smoothing as well as the Standard Error (if included) remain in the Placement. If set to No, only values appear in the Placement.

Empty Cell Padding

If set to Yes, the values written to the Placement Cell start one row down or one column to the right (depending on Direction). Otherwise, values start at the Placement cell itself.

Example

Smooth the trend of a temperature

image94.png

Base

Cell

$C$3

Direction

Down

End

All cells are empty

Placement

Cell

$D$3

Setting

Value

Damping Factor

0.3

Standard Error

No

Place Formula

No

Empty Cell Padding

Yes

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