This article explains how to use the LINEST function with a description of its formula syntax and examples.
Linest is an in-built mathematical function of excel.
It is designed to carry out linear regression analysis and return a set of related statistics.
Figure 1. of Linest Function in Excel
Formula Syntax
=LINEST( y_values, x_values, constant)
Y_values are a specific array of independent values within our linear equation.
X_values (optional). A known array of dependent values within our linear equation. In cases where this parameter isn’t specified, our assumed dependent values should be 1,2,3,4,… with the same amount of values as our y_values.
Constant (optional) this can be TRUE or FALSE. Once this parameter is not included, the LINEST function will assume it to be TRUE.
How to use the LINEST function
We will demonstrate the theory and calculations of using Linest with the following simple steps;
The LINEST function determines the statistical Linest values for data arranged in a straight line explaining the relationship between an independent variable and a dependent variable(s) and returns a numerical value which best describes our data.
Let’s say we have the monthly advertising and sales records at a clothing store for six months.
- We begin by entering our corresponding data values for each month into separate columns of our excel worksheet.
Figure 2. of Linest Function
- The Linest formula we shall enter into cell D2 of our worksheet example is as follows:
=LINEST(C2:C7, B2:B7),TRUE,FALSE)
Figure 3. of Linest Function in Excel
If found to be TRUE, the LINEST output will be a number value having additional regression statistics.
If omitted, or found to be FALSE, LINEST function returns error.
LINEST can also be combined with other functions for use in calculating different types of model statistics which are linear with unknown parameters, such as polynomials, logarithmic, exponentials, and also power series.
Since the Linest function calculates a set of values, it should be entered into our worksheet in an array format.
This might make the LINEST function a bit tricky to use because we should not only input our formula syntax correctly, but also interpret our Linest output properly.
Additional Statistics for Linest Formula
To obtain even more statistical data for our linear analysis, we can enter another TRUE operation after the last argument in our Linest array.
Applied to our worksheet example, the Linest formula syntax appears in the following shape:
Figure 4. of Linest Function in Excel
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