Using Excel to Create an X-Bar & R Chart:

1. Determine the subgroup average. To do this, go to an open cell to the right of your data.
2. Calculate the subgroup average (X-bar) by entering the formula for Average.
For example, =Average(B4:D4).
3. Repeat Step 2 for each subgroup.
4. Calculate the subgroup range by entering the formula for Range.
For example, =Max(B2:D2)-Min(B2:D2).
5. Repeat Step 4 for each subgroup.
6. Calculate the grand average (X-double bar) by entering the average formula at the bottom of the
average column.
For example, =Average(B2:D15).
7. Calculate the average range (R-bar) by entering the average formula at the bottom of the range column.
8. Calculate the X-bar UCL by entering the formula X-double bar + (A2* R-bar).
For example, =SUM(F16+(1.023 *G16).
9. Calculate the X-bar LCL by entering the formula X-double bar –(A2 * R-bar).
For example, =SUM(F16-(1.023 *G16)).
A. Look up the A2 value for your sample size.
B. Enter the A2 value in the formula shown above.
10. Calculate the Range UCL by entering the formula D4 * R-bar. For example, =SUM(2.574 * G16).
A. Look up the D4 value for your sample size.
B. Enter the D4 value in the formula shown above.
11. Calculate the Range LCL by entering the formula D3 * R-bar. If your sample size is six or less, the lower
limit will equal 0.
A. Look up the D3 value for your sample size.
B. Enter the D3 value in the formula shown above.
12. Duplicate the UCLs, means, and LCLs for each row of data.
13. To create the X-bar chart, first highlight the X-bar cells. For example, F1:F15.
14. Press the control key, and highlight the cells containing the X-chart UCL, Mean, and LCL. For example
H1:J15. Four columns should be highlighted.
15. Click on the Chart Wizard icon.
16. Select Line from the chart type option.
17. Select the Line with markers displayed at each data value.
18. Continue through the Wizard and select finish.
19. To change the UCL and LCL to dashed lines without markers, and the mean to a solid line with no
marker, right-click on the line. Select Format Data Series. Set the Marker to none. Click on OK to save
your changes.
20. To create the Range chart, first highlight the Range cells. For example, G1:G15.
21. Press the control key, and highlight the cells containing the R-chart UCL, Mean, and LCL. For example
K1:M15. Four columns should be highlighted.
22. Select Line from the chart type option.
23. Select the Line with markers displayed at each data value.
24. Click on the Chart Wizard icon.
25. Continue through the Wizard and select finish.
26. To change the UCL and LCL to dashed lines without markers, and the mean to a solid line with no
marker, right-click on the line. Select Format Data Series. Set the Marker to none. Click on OK to save
your changes.
27. If you need to change to X-bar and sigma, return to Steps 8-11, substituting the formulas and factors for
X-bar and sigma control limits.