The first step in running regression analysis in Excel is to double-check that the free plugin Data Analysis ToolPak is installed. This plugin makes calculating a range of statistics very easy.

Using Linear Regression Because much economic data has cycles, multiple trends and non-linearity, simple linear regression is often inappropriate for time-series work, according to Yale University.

Use historical data to forecast trends to use in sales, budgets, marketing and more. Excel provides accessible tools to create a graph and display the linear equation.

Learn how to graph linear regression in Excel. Use these steps to analyze the linear relationship between an independent and a dependent variable.