Create Histograms and Box Plots in LibreOffice Calc

LibreOffice Calc provides robust built-in tools to visualize statistical data distributions using histograms and box-and-whisker plots. This guide walks you through the exact steps required to generate both chart types, from preparing your raw data and setting up statistical bins to configuring native chart types and adjusting display properties for clear data analysis.

How to Create a Histogram in LibreOffice Calc

A histogram visualizes the distribution of continuous numerical data by grouping values into intervals (bins).

Step 1: Prepare Your Data and Bins

  1. Enter your raw dataset into a single column (e.g., Column A).
  2. In an adjacent column (e.g., Column C), create your Bins by entering the upper limit for each interval in ascending order.

Step 2: Generate the Frequency Distribution

  1. Highlight your raw dataset.
  2. Go to the top menu and select Data > Statistics > Histogram.
  3. In the Histogram dialog:
    • Input range: Verify your raw data range is selected.
    • Bin range: Select the column containing your custom bins.
    • Output range: Click an empty cell where you want the resulting frequency table to appear.
  4. Click OK. Calc will generate a summary table containing your bin intervals and the corresponding data frequencies.

Step 3: Insert and Format the Histogram Chart

  1. Select the generated frequency table (both the bin labels and frequency values).
  2. Go to Insert > Chart… (or click the Insert Chart icon).
  3. In the Chart Wizard:
    • Choose Column as the chart type and select the Normal sub-type.
    • Click Finish.
  4. To remove the gaps between bars to make it a standard histogram:
    • Double-click the chart to enter edit mode.
    • Double-click any of the chart bars to open the Data Series dialog.
    • Go to the Options tab.
    • Set Spacing to 0%.
    • Click OK.

How to Create a Box-and-Whisker Plot in LibreOffice Calc

A box-and-whisker plot (box plot) displays the five-number summary of a dataset: minimum, first quartile (Q1), median, third quartile (Q3), and maximum.

Method 1: Using the Native Box Plot Chart Type

Recent versions of LibreOffice Calc include a direct Box Plot chart option.

  1. Select your raw dataset across one or multiple columns (each column represents a separate group).
  2. Go to Insert > Chart….
  3. In the Chart Wizard:
    • Select Box Plot from the list of chart types.
    • Choose your preferred orientation (Vertical or Horizontal).
  4. Click Next to confirm your data range and series arrangement (e.g., Data series in columns).
  5. Click Finish. Calc will automatically calculate the quartiles, whiskers, and medians, rendering the box plot.

Method 2: Using the Statistics Tool (for Summary Tables)

If your version does not offer a direct Box Plot option in the Chart Wizard:

  1. Select your data.
  2. Navigate to Data > Statistics > Descriptive Statistics….
  3. Set your Input range and choose an Output range.
  4. Click OK to generate a table containing the Mean, Median, Min, Max, and Quartile values.
  5. Highlight the calculated statistics (Min, Q1, Q3, Max).
  6. Go to Insert > Chart… and select the Stock chart type (specifically the Stock Chart 2 or Stock Chart 4 variants that display Open, High, Low, and Close equivalents).
  7. Map your Quartiles and Extrema to the corresponding series fields and click Finish.