How to use the TREND function in Excel

You can calculate and visualize trends in Excel using the TREND function . Doing so will give you insights into your data and make it easier to make forecasts. Here's how to use the TREND function in Microsoft Excel .

How to use the TREND function in Excel

What is Trend Line?

A trend line is a straight line that shows whether data is increasing or decreasing over time. It is often applied to time series, where you can track values ​​over specific time periods.

A trendline serves as a visual representation of a trend, showing the general direction of your data. It rarely fits all the values ​​in a series perfectly unless they are already aligned in a straight line. Instead, it is the best possible approximation, giving you a clear sense of the overall movement.

One of the most practical uses of a trendline is prediction. By extending a trend, you can predict future values. This is where the slope of the line becomes essential—it shows the speed and direction of the trend. However, calculating trends manually is tedious and, of course, error-prone. That’s where Excel’s TREND function comes in handy.

What is the TREND function in Excel?

TREND is a statistical function that uses your known data (X and Y) to create a trend line and predict future values. Its syntax is simple:

=TREND([known_Ys], [known_Xs], [new_Xs], [const])

The first two arguments, known_Ys and known_Xs, are the data you already have. new_Xs is the data you want to predict and calculate the trend for. The const argument determines whether to include the intercept value (b) in the trendline equation (y = ax + b). If set to TRUE or omitted, Excel calculates the intercept value; if set to FALSE, Excel assumes no intercept value.

How to use the TREND function in Excel

To better understand TREND, let's look at an example. Let's say you have eight known Y values ​​(1 through 8) and their corresponding X values ​​(also 1 through 8). You're missing values ​​for times 9 and 10 and you want Excel to project them.

How to use the TREND function in Excel

First, click the cell where you want the new Ys to appear (C2 in this example). Then, enter the formula below in the formula bar:

=TREND(B2:B9, A2:A9, A2:A11)

This formula calls the TREND function and plugs in cells B2:B9 as the known Ys . Then it plugs in A2:A9 as the known Xs . Finally, the formula tells TREND that A2:A11 will be the new Ys. These new Ys are calculated off the trendline.

When you press Enter , Excel fills the cells with the trend values. Observe how the predicted Ys in the trend, although linear, are close to the known Ys.

How to use the TREND function in Excel

Above is how to use the TREND function in Microsoft Excel . Hope the article is useful to you.

Sign up and earn $1000 a day ⋙

Leave a Comment

Healthy snacks that help you lose weight

Healthy snacks that help you lose weight

Craving for snacks but afraid of gaining weight? Dont worry, lets explore together many types of weight loss snacks that are high in fiber, low in calories without making you try to starve yourself.

What to do when you have trouble sleeping?

What to do when you have trouble sleeping?

Prioritizing a consistent sleep schedule and evening routine can help improve the quality of your sleep. Heres what you need to know to stop tossing and turning at night.

How to add a printer to Windows 10

How to add a printer to Windows 10

Adding a printer to Windows 10 is simple, although the process for wired devices will be different than for wireless devices.

The most commonly deficient nutrients in the diet

The most commonly deficient nutrients in the diet

Diet is important to our health. Yet most of our meals are lacking in these six important nutrients.

How to get beautiful nails quickly

How to get beautiful nails quickly

You want to have a beautiful, shiny, healthy nail quickly. The simple tips for beautiful nails below will be useful for you.

The best laptops for students in 2025

The best laptops for students in 2025

Students need a specific type of laptop for their studies. It should not only be powerful enough to perform well in their chosen major, but also compact and light enough to carry around all day.

Ways to reduce the risk of birth defects in the fetus

Ways to reduce the risk of birth defects in the fetus

Birth defects are something no one wants. Although they cannot be completely prevented, you can take the following steps to reduce the risk of birth defects in your baby.

How to check RAM and check RAM errors on your computer with the highest accuracy rate

How to check RAM and check RAM errors on your computer with the highest accuracy rate

As you know, RAM is a very important hardware part in a computer, acting as memory to process data and is the factor that determines the speed of a laptop or PC. In the article below, WebTech360 will introduce you to some ways to check for RAM errors using software on Windows.

Top 5 best automatic home coffee makers

Top 5 best automatic home coffee makers

The automatic home coffee maker is a modern and professional product, bringing you and your family delicious cups of coffee with just a few quick steps.

Difference between regular TV and Smart TV

Difference between regular TV and Smart TV

Smart TVs have really taken the world by storm. With so many great features and the ability to connect to the Internet, technology has changed the way we watch TV.

Why doesnt the freezer have a light but the refrigerator does?

Why doesnt the freezer have a light but the refrigerator does?

Refrigerators are familiar appliances in families. Refrigerators usually have 2 compartments, the cool compartment is spacious and has a light that automatically turns on every time the user opens it, while the freezer compartment is narrow and has no light.

2 Ways to Fix Network Congestion That Slows Down Wi-Fi

2 Ways to Fix Network Congestion That Slows Down Wi-Fi

Wi-Fi networks are affected by many factors beyond routers, bandwidth, and interference, but there are some smart ways to boost your network.

How to Downgrade from iOS 17 to iOS 16 without Losing Data using Tenorshare Reiboot

How to Downgrade from iOS 17 to iOS 16 without Losing Data using Tenorshare Reiboot

If you want to go back to stable iOS 16 on your phone, here is the basic guide to uninstall iOS 17 and downgrade from iOS 17 to 16.

What happens to the body when you eat yogurt every day?

What happens to the body when you eat yogurt every day?

Yogurt is a great food. Is it good to eat yogurt every day? What will happen to your body when you eat yogurt every day? Let's find out together!

Which type of rice is best for health?

Which type of rice is best for health?

This article discusses the most nutritious types of rice and how to maximize the health benefits of whichever rice you choose.