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Is there some software that will allow me to create a bar graph which automatically places the sample size label above the error bar for each bar? I work in a biology lab, and I have to make a lot of bar graphs which would be suitable for a scientific journal publication. I usually make these graphs in Excel. However, I have to manually create text boxes to put the sample size above the error bar of each bar, and this can be time consuming. Ideally, I would also like the created graph to be editable in powerpoint. The sample size labels may need to be adjusted as well as the x and y axis labels.
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Hi Azim58,
AFAIK, it is quite hard combining MS-Office-based and still editable graphs with the requirements for publications. If you have a bit of time, I'd recommend to learn the R language. There are a lot of galleries online which show you how to draw certain graphs. Moreover, you can export the R graphs into many formats and different resolutions. Thus, you'll meet the requirements fro publication (e.g. a eps file with 600 dpi).
For your problem you can have a look here.
Cheers,
Michael -
Thanks for the reply Michael.Ante. The graph in that gallery gets me closer to what I am looking for. However, that graph does not have error bars or significance bars.Comment
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For adding error bars (there is a bit more coding involved) you can use the arrow function in R.
There are a couple of blogs how to do that. For example, have a look at Monkey's Uncle from Stanford.Comment
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