A simple linear regression line represents the line that best “fits” a dataset.

The following step-by-step example shows how to add a regression line to the following scatterplot in Google Sheets:

Let’s jump in!

Step 1: Enter the Data

First, let’s enter the values for the following dataset into Google Sheets:

Step 2: Insert a Scatterplot

Next, highlight the cell range A2:B16, then click the Insert tab along the top ribbon, then click Chart:

In the Chart editor panel, click Chart type and then scroll down and click Scatter chart:

The following scatterplot will appear:

Step 3: Add a Regression Line

Next, click the Customize tab within the Chart editor panel.

Then click the dropdown arrow next to Series, then scroll down and check the box next to Trendline.

Then click the dropdown arrow under Label and choose Use Equation:

A regression line will be added to the scatterplot and the equation of the regression line will be shown above the plot:

For this particular example, the regression line turns out to be:

y = 0.911x + 4.65

The way to interpret this is as follows:

• For each additional one unit increase in the x variable, the average increase in the y variable is 0.911.
• When the x variable is equal to zero, the average value for the y variable is 4.65.

We can also use this equation to estimate the value of y based on the value of x.

For example, when x is equal to 15, the expected value for y is 18.315:

y = 0.911*(15) + 4.65= 18.315

Additional Resources

The following tutorials explain how to perform other common tasks in Google Sheets:

How to Perform Logistic Regression in Google Sheets
How to Perform Polynomial Regression in Google Sheets
How to Calculate R-Squared in Google Sheets