How to create a BoxPlot/Box and Whisker Chart in Excel

Microsoft Excel charts do not include a BoxPlot/Box & Whisker chart type. However, you can create a reasonable representation of this type of chart by following the steps outlined in this article.

To create a sample BoxPlot/Box and Whisker chart, use the appropriate method for your version of Excel.

Excel 2004, X, 2001 and 98

1. In a new worksheet, type the following data:

      A1: Statistic   B1: a    C1: b    D1: c
      A2: median      B2: 40   C2: 45   D2: 50
      A3: q1          B3: 20   C3: 22   D3: 30
      A4: min         B4: 10   C4: 15   D4: 18
      A5: max         B5: 100  C5: 110  D5: 90
      A6: q3          B6: 70   C6: 75   D6: 57
   					

2. Select cells A1:D6. On the Insert menu, click Chart.
3. On the Standard types tab, click Stock under Chart type, and then click the fourth chart sub-type.
   
   The following explanation appears below the chart sub-type:
   Volume-Open-High-Low-Close. Requires five series of values in this order.
4. Click Next.
5. On the Data Range tab, click Rows under Series in, and then click Next.
6. On the Legend tab, click to clear the Show legend check box.
7. On the Axes tab, click to clear the Value (Y) Axis check box under Secondary axis, and then click Finish.
8. Click once on any one of the colored columns to select the series. Do not click one of the white columns.
9. On the Chart menu, click Chart Type. Under Chart type, click Line, and then click OK.
   
   A line that connects the three white columns appears in the chart.
10. Click once on the line, and then click Selected Data Series on the Format menu.

In Excel 2004 for Mac

1. Click the Colors and Line tab. Under Line for Color, click No Line.
2. Under Marker, select the plus sign (+).
3. In the Foreground list, click the black color. In the Background list, click No Color. Click OK.

In Excel X and earlier

1. Click the Patterns tab. Under Line, click None.
2. Under Marker, click Custom. In the Style list, click the plus sign (+)
3. In the Foreground list, click the black color.
4. In the Background list, click No Color. Click OK.

Excel 5.0 and Excel 7.0

1. In a new worksheet, type the following data:

      A1: Statistic   B1: a    C1: b    D1: c
      A2: median      B2: 40   C2: 45   D2: 50
      A3: q1          B3: 20   C3: 22   D3: 30
      A4: min         B4: 10   C4: 15   D4: 18
      A5: max         B5: 100  C5: 110  D5: 90
      A6: q3          B6: 70   C6: 75   D6: 57
   					

2. Select cells A1:D6. On the Insert menu, point to Chart, and then click On This Sheet.
3. Click and drag the area for the chart. In the Step 1 of 5 dialog box of the ChartWizard, click Next.
4. In the Step 2 of 5 dialog box, click the Combination chart type, and then click Next.
5. In the Step 3 of 5 dialog box, click the sixth chart style, and then click Next.
   
   The following message appears in an Alert Box:
   A volume-open-high-low-close stock chart must contain five series
6. Click OK.
7. In the Step 4 of 5 dialog box, click Rows under Data Series in, and then click Next.
8. In the Step 5 of 5 dialog box, click No under Add a Legend?, and then click Finish.
9. Double-click the chart to activate it. On the Insert menu, click Axes. Under Secondary Axis, click to clear the Value (Y) Axis check box, and then click OK.
10. Click once on any one of the colored columns to select the series. Do not click one of the white columns.
11. On the Format menu, click Chart Type. In the list of chart types, click Line, and then click OK.
    
    A line that connects the three white columns appears in the chart.
12. Click once on the line, and then click Selected Data Series on the Format menu.
13. Click the Patterns tab. Under Line, click None.
14. Under Marker, click Custom. In the Style list, click the plus sign (+). In the Foreground list, click the black color. In the Background list, click None. Click OK.

Excel X and later versions

For more information about creating charts, click Excel Help on the Help menu, type about charts, click Search, and then click a topic to view it.

Excel 98 and Excel 2001

For more information about creating charts, click the Office Assistant, type charts, click Search, and then click a topic to view it.

Note If the Assistant is hidden, click the Office Assistant button on the Standard toolbar.

Excel 7.0

For more information about creating charts, click Answer Wizard on the Help menu and type:

Excel 5.0

For more information about creating charts, choose the Search button in Help and type: