Create a frequency distribution with Excel.

1) Enter your data in a single column. Start with a meaningful label; enter each data point in separate cell under that label.

2) In a new column enter the highest value for each of the "bins" in your distribution. For example, if you wish to have ten values included in each "bin" you should use 0, 10, 20, etc. With these numbers data points with values between 1 and 10 will be counted for the first category, data points with values between 11 and 20 will be included in the second, etc.

3) Point and click to the cell immediately to the right of the first "bin" value.

4) Click on the fx icon.

5) Choose the frequency function.

6) Enter the cell addresses for your data in the first window and the addresses for the "bin" values in the second window. Click on OK.

7) Highlight the cells immediately to the right of your bin values. Be sure to include the cell that has the frequency function in it as the first cell in the section.

8) Move the pointer up to the function window and highlight the frequency function.

9) Press Ctrl-Shift-Enter. Your highlighted column should fill with the counts for the values you identified in your "bins" column.

Create a frequency histogram with Excel.

1) Highlight the column of numbers that you created in step 9 above.

2) Click on the graph icon.

3) Choose the Column option and click on Next. (By choosing the Line option at this point you can create a frequency polygon.)

4) Click on the Series tab.

5) Enter the addresses for your bin values in the "Category (x) axis window. Click on Next.

6) Click on the Titles tab. Enter "Frequency" as the title for the y axis and type a meaningful label in the x axis window.

7) Click on the Legend tab. Click off the Show Legend option. Click on Next.

8) Choose to include the graph in your current sheet or place it on a new sheet and click on Finish.

9) The completed frequency histogram should appear.