Hi Learner,

You might start by putting categories in one column and the frequency of
observations for each category in an adjacent column. Suppose that you want
to analyze the number of people in different weight categories, you could
put the label "Weight Range in Pounds" in A1, the category '1-20 in A2,
'21-40 in A3 and so on until you reach a really objectionable weight range
(the apostrophes are there to make Excel regard the category as text rather
than as a date).

In B1, enter the label "Number of People" and in B2, however many people you
observed who weigh from 1 to 20 pounds, in B3 the number of people who weigh
between 21 and 40 pounds, and so on.

This sort of setup is what Excel terms a "list," and it puts you in a
position to do different sorts of analysis. For example, you can create a
column chart that will show the number of people within each weight range.
You can also use a Data Form (choose Form from the Data menu) to edit the
list.

A good alternative is to simply enter the weight of each person in a single
column, rather than counting and categorizing as I described above (but be
sure to provide a label such as "Weight" in the first cell of the list). Now
you can use that list as the basis for a pivot table / pivot chart (Data |
PivotTable and PivotChart Report), but after creating the pivot table you'll
probably want to tell Excel to group the weight according to categories you
define (right-click in the row field and choose Group and Show Detail |
Group).

--
C^2
Conrad Carlberg

Excel Sales Forecasting for Dummies, Wiley, 2005