Descriptive statistics are summarizations of your dataset. This summary includes mean, median, mode, standard deviation, variance, minimum and maximum variables, kurtosis, and skewness. Excel can generate all these measures for a selected range in a proper table. In this article, we are going to show how to generate Descriptive Statistics in Excel.

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Analysis ToolPak add-in

First, you need the enable Analysis ToolPak add-in. If you haven't heard it before, this is a very handful Excel add-in if you are in statistics. The add-in allows you to make data analysis in various ways from moving averages to regression analysis without dealing with complex formulas.

The add-in comes with Excel since the 2007 version. However, it remains hidden. You can activate it from the Add-ins dialogue from File > Options > Add-Ins. Here, select Excel Add-ins in the Manage dropdown and click the Go button. Select the Analysis ToolPak and click OK.

Once enabled, you can find the add-in in the Data tab of the Ribbon.

Generating Descriptive Statistics in Excel

Clicking the button in the toolbar displays a dialogue with the tools the add-in has. Select the Descriptive Statistics and click the OK button opens the Descriptive Statistics dialogue.

The tool dialogue allows you to select your data, output place and which statistical values you want to see in the report.

In the Input section, select the range that contains data. You can select more than one data set to be listed separately in the report. Just make sure that all data in a set sits on a single row or column.

Choose Rows in case your data resides in a row. Also, check the Labels in the first row option if your first row is the title field like ours.

The first three (3) options in the Output section determines the location the report will be populated. We selected new worksheet option to see them in elsewhere.

Finally, you can select which measures you want to see:

• Summary Statistics: Main measures like mean, mode, and standard deviation.
• Confidence Level for Mean: Check to calculate a confidence level for the sample mean. You can change the confidence level by the near textbox.
• Kth Largest, Kth Smallest: Enable either of these to see kth largest or smallest number in your dataset. 1 means maximum and minimum.

Once you are set with the options, click OK to generate Descriptive Statistics for your dataset.