“I’ve been using your QI Macros for the last ten years and have always found them the best and lowest cost tool available. The other “stat” and charting programs are way too expensive and complex for most of the QA people that I’ve trained.”

- Steve Hoyt
ASQ Program Chair

QI Macros Add-In for Excel Installs a New Menu on Excel's Toolbar

Tools are Grouped in These Key Categories

Capability Charts

Histograms with a bell curve

Histogram in Excel with Cp, Cpk

Tired of Trying to Make Histograms in Excel?

Does the Excel Data Analysis Toolpak take too long and require too many steps?
Is it difficult to show specification limits or the normal curve on your Excel histogram?
Is it too hard to calculate process capability metrics Cp Cpk? Defect rates? Sigma?

QI Macros Creates Excel Histograms in Three Easy Steps

Point - Just select your histogram data in an Excel worksheet
Click – on QI Macros menu in Excel and choose Histogram with Cp Cpk
Analyze and Improve – QI Macros will prompt you for spec limits, do the histogram calculations and draw the histogram with a curve for you.

What is a Histogram?

Histograms show the spread, or dispersion, of variable data. The customer's upper specification (USL) and lower specification limits (LSL) determine how well the process delivers on customer requirements. Measurements outside of the spec limits represent data points that don't meet customer requirements.

Please note: If you are asked by QI Macros for a "Subgroup Size," a subgroup is a group of measurements produced under the same set of conditions.

What is Cool about QI Macros Histogram Maker in Excel?

Calculates more than 20 process capability analysis metrics including Cp Cpk and Pp Ppk.
Histogram calculations can be viewed in the Excel worksheet created by QI Macros.
Allows you to experiment with how spec limits impact Cp Cpk by changing them in the histogram calculations worksheet.
Allows you to adjust histogram bin intervals and the approximate number of bars.

“I am very impressed with QI Macros Software. I work with Excel eight hours a day and thought that I had written macros that made me efficient. The Control Charting and Histogram macros in QI Macros alone have saved me hours of work and allowed me to present data to management in a format that is meaningful.”

- Kyle Dopp
First Choice Solutions

Why Choose QI Macros to Perform Capability Analysis and Draw Histograms?

Affordable

Less with quantity discounts
No annual fees
Free Technical Support

Easy to Use

Works Right in Excel
Calculates Cp Cpk Pp Ppk
Accurate Results Without Worry

Proven and Trusted

100,000 Users in 80 Countries
Celebrating 20th Anniversary
Five Star CNET Rating - Virus Free

Process capability metrics Cp Cpk Pp Ppk

Process Capability Analysis in Excel

You Don't Have to be a Black Belt to Perform Capability Analysis

A capable process meets customer requirements 100% of the time. Customer requirements are defined using an upper specification limit (USL) and a lower specification limit (LSL). Think of these specification limits as goal posts.

Not Capable	Capable
Cp < 1, Cpk <1	Cp >= 1, Cpk >= 1
Not Capable to Centered & Capable

Process capability metrics are used to determine how well the output of a stable process meets these specifications:

Cp and Cpk Process Capability Metrics
Cp	How well the data would fit within the spec limits (USL, LSL)
Cpk	How centered the data is between the spec limits.
Use Cp Cpk	When you have a sample, not the population, and are testing the potential capability of a process to meet customer needs.
Cp Cpk	Formulas use Sigma estimator.

Pp and Ppk Process Performance Metrics
Pp	How well the data would fit within the spec limits (USL, LSL)
Ppk	How centered the data is between the spec limits.
Use Pp Ppk	When you have the total population and are testing the performance of a system to meet customer needs.
Pp Ppk	Formulas use standard deviation.

Cp vs Cpk Examples

Fits But Is Not Centered

Process improvement goal is to move the output closer to the target without increasing variation.

Centered But Does Not Fit

Process improvement goal is to reduce variation so that the process fits between the spec limits.

One-sided Spec Limits

One-Sided Spec Limit
People confuse a "hard limit," (i.e. zero) for a "spec limit". It is not. In this case, Cpk uses CpkU which means Cpk > 1.
One-Sided Spec Limit
If you enter an LSL of zero, Cpk uses CpkL which means Cpk < 1 because the mean is closer to zero.

Capability Analysis Metrics Rules of Thumb

Cp > 1 Process is capable (product will fit between the customer's upper and lower specification limits if the process is centered).
Cpk > 1 Process is capable and centered between the LSL and USL.
If Cp = Cpk the process is centered at the midpoint of the specification limits.
If Cp > Cpk the process is off-center.
Cp and Cpk should be close in value to Pp and Ppk.
If Cp and Cpk are much greater than Pp or Ppk (33% greater), your process may not be stable enough to conduct a capability analysis. Use control charts to evaluate the stability of your process.

Box and whisker plots, dot plots, scatter plots and more.

Box and Whisker Plot Maker in Excel

What is a Box Plot? How Can You Easily Create One in Excel?

Box and Whisker Plots (Box Plots or Boxplots) are like simple histograms turned on their side. Use them to analyze the variation between data sets or the variation within a dataset.

Box Plot Elements Explained

The box represents the distance between the 1st and 3rd quartiles--the InterQuartile Range (IQR=Q3-Q1).
For quartiles, there are three points: the first middle point (the median), and the middle points of the two halves. These three points divide the entire data set into quarters.
The whiskers are 1.5*IQR or the highest / lowest point within the range.
Outlier points are those that are greater than 1.5*IQR, from Q1 or Q3.
If the box is all gray, then there is no difference between the 1st quartile and the median.
If the box is all green, there is no difference between the 3rd quartile and the median.
If your Median value is less than 0, the boxes will indicate this by swapping order (green on top and gray on bottom).

QI Macros Box Plot Generator Creates Plots in Three Easy Steps

Box and Whisker Plots are hard to create manually or in Excel. Use QI Macros to save time and get the calculations right.

Point - select your boxplot data in an Excel worksheet.
Click - on QI Macros Menu and choose the Box Whisker Plot.
Analyze and Improve - QI Macros will do the calculations and make a boxplot in Excel.

Scatter Plot Maker in Excel

Easily Create Scatter Plots in Excel Using QI Macros

Point - select your scatter plot data in an Excel worksheet
Click - on the QI Macros Menu and choose the Scatter Plot
Analyze and Improve - QI Macros will do the correlation calculations and draw a scatter plot in Excel for you.

If R² is greater than .80, there is a strong relationship between the two data sets. R² close to 1.0 means a perfect fit.

Example of an Excel Scatter Plot Diagram Created by QI Macros

Scatterplot diagrams are used to evaluate the correlation or cause-effect relationship (if any) between two variables (e.g., speed and gas consumption in a vehicle).

When you think there's a cause-effect link between two indicators (e.g., calories consumed and weight gain) then you can use the scatter plot to prove or disprove it. If the points are tightly clustered along the trend line, then there's probably a strong correlation. If it looks more like a shotgun blast, there is no correlation.

Scatter Diagram with Strong Correlation

Scatter Diagram with No Correlation

Scatter Plot Diagrams can be made manually or in Excel. However, you have to find the right chart to get a trend line and Excel will not calculate the R² correlation of determination (square of the correlation coefficient) for you.

Use a Scatter Plot Maker like QI Macros for Excel to save time and get the calculations right.

Compatible with Excel 2010-2019/Office 365 (PC) | 2016, 2019/Office 365 (Mac)

You can also switch the order of the X and Y axis!

In the Scatter Template, once you have created your chart, you can switch the X and Y-Axis by inputting "1" or "2" in the "Order" section to the right of your chart. Once you have typed in 1 or 2, press Enter and your Chart will update automatically:

Want to create an XY Scatter Diagram with Four Quadrants? See instructions below:

Although QI Macros does not offer this specific diagram, you can create one with the combination of our software and Excel's functionality.

1.) Create your Scatter Diagram:

2.) Next, delete the trend line from your diagram:

3.) Once the diagram has been created, right-click on your X-Axis, and select "Format Axis":

4.) Next, update your Axis Value which will place the X-Axis in the middle of your diagram, depending on the value you choose:

5.) Then, right-click on your Y-Axis, and select "Format Axis":

6.) Update your Axis Value which will place the Y-Axis in the middle of your diagram, depending on the value you choose:

7.) Once you have updated both the X and Y Axis Values, you have now created an XY Scatter Diagram with Four Quadrants!

Control Charts

Attribute Charts - p, np, c, u

Create a Control Chart in Seconds

What is a Control Chart?

Control Charts Evaluate Process Performance Over Time

A control chart is a smart line graph. It performs calculations on your data and displays:

the average or median as a center line
the amount of variation in data using control limit lines.

Control Charts Contain These Key Elements

As data moves through the zones created by these control limits, a control chart highlights data points or trends that should be investigated.

Three Reasons You Need Software to Create a Control Chart

Control Chart Types

There are seven Shewhart control charts and many more for special situations.

Control Limit Calculations

Each type of control chart has a different formula for calculating control limits.

Stability Analysis Rules

Stability rules identify and highlight points or trends that need to be investigated. They vary by industry.

Fourth Reason:

QI Macros control chart software is affordable and easy to use.

Here is a Control Chart Created Using QI Macros Add-in for Excel

Othe Control Charts - Cusum, EWMA, Levey Jennings and more

Cusum Chart in Excel

Cumulative Sum Charts Can Detect Small Shifts in a Process

Cusum charts can detect process shifts more rapidly than the XmR or XbarR. If a trend develops, it's evidence that the process has shifted.

A Cusum Chart consists of:

A target which is either provided by you or calculated as the mean of your data.
Upper Cusum Limit and Lower Cusum Limit lines.
C+ and C- lines which represent the cumulative sum of deviations of successive sample means from a target. Use these lines to determine if your process is shifting.

Cusum Chart Example Created by QI Macros for Excel

WMA Chart in Excel

Use the EWMA Chart when you have one sample and want to detect small shifts in performance.

The EWMA (exponentially weighted moving average) chart's performance is similar to the Cusum chart.

Example of an EWMA Chart created in QI Macros for Excel

To create an EWMA control chart using QI Macros:

Highlight your data and select "EWMA" from the "Control Charts (SPC)" drop-down menu.
Next you will be prompted to either accept the default alpha parameter of 0.2 or enter in your own:

Levey Jennings Control Chart

It's Easy to Create a Levey Jennings Chart in Excel

Healthcare labs use the Levey Jennings charts to monitor key measures of health like cholesterol and glucose. The Levey Jennings chart, unlike other control charts, use standard deviation for control limits.

Example of a Levey Jennings Control Chart Created by QI Macros Add-in

QI Macros Add-in for Excel Offers Several Ways to Create a Levey Jennings Chart

Using the Levey Jennings Fill in the Blanks Control Chart Template
Using one of the two Levey Jennings chart macros

To create a Levey Jennings chart using one of the macros:

Select your Levey Jennings chart data in an Excel worksheet
Next click on the QI Macros menu, Control Charts and then on one of the two Levey Jennings chart options.
Levey Jennings Stdev, uses standard deviation to draw the 1 and 2 sigma lines and the upper and lower control limits. You can also use this chart to create a Precision Control Chart.
Levey Jennings 10 % draws 1, 2 sigma lines and upper and lower control limits using 10 %, 20% and 30% of the average. This percentage can be adjusted if another value is desired.

Other Charts

Pareto Charts

Pareto Charts are a great tool but they can be difficult to create.

“I really like the QI Macros. The Pareto chart alone is worth the purchase price.”

- Mike Dean, Ellwood Texas Forge

What Makes an Authentic Pareto Chart?

Paretos combine a sorted bar graph with a cumulative line graph.

Pareto charts are used in Six Sigma and other process improvement methodologies to determine where to focus your efforts.

Pareto analysis is based on the principle that one or two "big bars" represent the bulk of any problem. This is known as Pareto's Rule or the 80/20 rule.

Special Features That Make QI Macros Pareto Charts Unique

Shaded and "Other" Bar

Bars over 20% are highlighted.

"Other Bar" groups small categories

Draw Pareto from Raw Data

Data not subtotaled? No problem.

QI Macros counts each phrase and draws a Pareto chart in one step.

Fishbone Diagram

Fishbone Diagram Template in Excel

Tired of Trying to Draw Fishbone Diagrams Manually?

QI Macros Automated Template Draws Ishikawa Fishbone Diagrams in Seconds

Open the Template & Input Your Text

Click Create Fishbone

Your Fishbone Will Appear in Seconds

“QI Macros is a fantastic tool. It allows me to do things that once took 30-60 minutes down to 2-3 minutes. It's also very user-friendly and easy to operate.”

- Wade Johnson, Carlson Craft Business Solutions

Here's a Larger View of the Fishbone Diagram that QI Macros Creates

Updating and Sharing Your Fishbone is Just as Easy!

To revise the Fishbone: go back to the input tab and update your text, then click "Create Fishbone" again.

To copy and share your fishbone to Powerpoint or Word: Click on the "Copy" button, then paste the fishbone diagram as either a picture or drawing object. Pictures are static. Drawing objects can be revised.

To check the logic in your fishbone, click on the Check 5 Whys Logic button.

Run Charts

Run Chart in Excel

Run Charts Consist of a Line Graph and Center Line

The center line is calculated from the data and can represent either the average or median.

Run charts are an improvement over the ancient line graph. But they aren't cutting edge or state of the art like control charts.

Fortunately, using QI Macros for Excel, its just as easy to draw a control chart as it is a line graph or run chart.

Run Charts vs Control Charts

Run Chart

A run chart adds a center line which represents the average or the median of the data.

Control Chart

A control chart is a smart chart. It calculates a center line and sigma lines. It analyzes the data and identifies unstable points and trends.

Just select your data and select Run Charts from the QI Macros menu. Then choose whether you want the center line to be the average or median of your data. Or select the Control Chart wizard and draw a control chart to perform a more complete analysis on your data.

Line, Bar and Other Excel Charts

Do You Struggle Running Excel Charts?

How About Advanced Charts Like Histograms and Paretos?

You are not alone. While Excel creates basic charts, the multi-step process takes a long time and the resulting chart is often hard to read, suffering from what Edward Tufte calls "Chartjunk." We believe that charting software should do as much of the work as possible. That’s why we created QI Macros for Excel — a shortcut to Excel Charts.

QI Macros Add-in Makes It Easy to Draw Standard Charts in Excel

But More Importantly...QI Macros Draws Smart Charts

Compatible with Excel 2010-2019/Office 365 (PC) | 2016, 2019/Office 365 (Mac)

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