How do I use the LINEST function in Google Sheets?

Given partial data about a linear trend, calculates various parameters about the ideal linear trend using the least-squares method.

Sample Usage

LINEST(B2:B10, A2:A10)

LINEST(B2:B10, A2:A10, FALSE, TRUE)

Syntax

LINEST(known_data_y, [known_data_x], [calculate_b], [verbose])

• known_data_y – The array or range containing dependent (y) values that are already known, used to curve fit an ideal linear trend.
  • If known_data_y is a two-dimensional array or range, known_data_x must have the same dimensions or be omitted.
  • If known_data_y is a one-dimensional array or range, known_data_x may represent multiple independent variables in a two-dimensional array or range. I.e. if known_data_y is a single row, each row in known_data_x is interpreted as a separated independent value, and analogously if known_data_y is a single column.
• known_data_x – [ OPTIONAL – {1,2,3,...} with same length as known_data_y by default ] – The values of the independent variable(s) corresponding with known_data_y.
  • If known_data_y is a one-dimensional array or range, known_data_x may represent multiple independent variables in a two-dimensional array or range. I.e. if known_data_y is a single row, each row in known_data_x is interpreted as a separated independent value, and analogously if known_data_y is a single column.

    Note: For multiple independent variables, the order of the output parameters are corresponding to the input variables in reverse.

• calculate_b – [ OPTIONAL – TRUE by default ] – Given a linear form of y = m*x+b, calculates the y-intercept (b) if TRUE. Otherwise, forces b to be 0 and only calculates the m values if FALSE, i.e. forces the curve fit to pass through the origin.
• verbose – [ OPTIONAL – FALSE by default ] – A flag specifying whether to return additional regression statistics or only the linear coefficients and the y-intercept (default).
  • If verbose is TRUE, in addition to the set of linear coefficients for each independent variable and the y-intercept, LINEST returns
    • The standard error for each coefficient and the intercept,
    • The coefficient of determination (between 0 and 1, where 1 indicates perfect correlation),
    • Standard error for the dependent variable values,
    • The F statistic, or F-observed value indicating whether the observed relationship between dependent and independent variables is random rather than linear,
    • The degrees of freedom, useful in looking up F statistic values in a reference table to estimate a confidence level,
    • The regression sum of squares, and
    • The residual sum of squares.

See Also

TREND: Given partial data about a linear trend, fits an ideal linear trend using the least squares method and/or predicts further values.

LOGEST: Given partial data about an exponential growth curve, calculates various parameters about the best fit ideal exponential growth curve.

GROWTH: Given partial data about an exponential growth trend, fits an ideal exponential growth trend and/or predicts further values.

Examples

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