Creating regressions with more than 17 data points...

  • Thread starter Thread starter Guest
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I just selected 55 xy pairs and did regression under the analysis entry in
the tools menu (analysis toolpak). It worked fine for me.
 
Tom,

Are you using Excel XP or 2000? Or does it matter?

-Kevin

btw- I am tech support for an Economics Dept. at a major University.
These folks know almost nothing about Excel and I know nothing about
Economics! How about that for a crummy situation?
 
Kevin,

I don't think the Excel version matters. Excel was limited to 16
regressors (at least in Excel 97 and I doubt it has changed). Others
have also discovered the limitation. I'm assuming you are talking
about regressors or variables not data points as you indicated. I
don't think there is a limit on data points other than 65,536 (# rows
on a sheet).

I've never used it, but you might look at an add-in for Excel I found.
Apparently it can handle 256 regressors limited only by # columns in
Excel.

http://www.analyse-it.com/faqs/21000.htm

I usually use the LINEST function (limited by 16 as you know). I've
never tried to call it within VBA, but expect the same strange limit
will apply. You could also use something external like Minitab.
Finally, you can do the regression using basic statistical methods
instead of a function that does it for you. Personally, I'd rather
buy the add-in than a statistics book!

Happy Holidays,
Steve Hieb
 
As Steve so astutely surmised, it appears you are talking about 16
independent variables. I thought you were talking about XY pairs. As you
state, I believe the limit is 16 in all current versions.

From help (Excel 97) on Regression:

Input X Range

Enter the reference for the range of independent data. Microsoft Excel
orders independent variables from this range in ascending order from left to
right. The maximum number of independent variables is 16.
 
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