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Summary

The goal of the metRology for Microsoft Excel* software project is to provide a convenient user interface using Microsoft Excel for some of the specialized functions for statistical metrology found in the metRology package for the R software environment for statistical computing and graphics. The software is distributed as an add-in for Microsoft Excel and is freely available to all.

*Please note: any mention of commercial products within NIST web pages is for information only; it does not imply recommendation or endorsement by NIST.

Description

DESCRIPTION:

The current version of the metRology for Microsoft Excel add-in focuses on uncertainty analysis using the methods outlined in the JCGM Guide the Expression of Uncertainty in Measurement (often referred to as the GUM). These methods for uncertainty analysis are widely accepted and their use is recommended by many different organizations, including the eight sponsoring organizations of the JCGM, the International Bureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM), the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), the International Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (IFCC), the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC), the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), the International Union of Pure and Applied Physics (IUPAP), the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC), and the International Organization of Legal Metrology (OIML).

In addition to allowing the user to easily carry out uncertainty computations for a wide variety of different measurement methods, the metRology for Microsoft Excel add-in includes a check on the statistical validity of the results computed via Monte Carlo simulation. The simulation assesses the performance of the GUM uncertainty intervals by computing their approximate attained confidence level averaging over any sources of uncertainty evaluated using Type B methods (i.e. sources of uncertainty evaluated using methods other than statistical analysis).

RELATED PROJECTS:

metRology Software Project

Statistical Metrology Short Courses

Major Accomplishments

Version 1.03 of the metRology for Microsoft Excel was released January 11, 2013. Version 1.03 allows for more flexible installation in a directory of the user's choice rather than requiring installation in a prescribed location.

Version 1.01, released February 8, 2013, has been tested on the Windows XP and Windows 7 operating systems. Testing under Windows XP was carried out using Microsoft Excel 2003, Microsoft Excel 2007, and Microsoft Excel 2010. Testing under Windows 7 was carried out using Microsoft Excel 2007 and Microsoft Excel 2010. Version 1.03 has only been tested under Windows 7 with Microsoft Excel 2010.

The setup file for automated installation of the add-in on computers running the Windows operating system is available below. Unfortunately, at this time we do not have versions of metRology for Microsoft Excel for any other operating systems.

During the installation the setup script will check to see if an appropriate version of R is installed and will download and install the required R packages. Please note that these steps require internet access when the installation file is run.

Detailed installation instructions also can be found below. The detailed instructions include links to test files (also given below) so you can make sure the installation has completed successfully.

Detailed instructions: metRology-for-Microsoft-Excel-v1-03-installation-instructions.pdf
Installation file: metRology-for-Microsoft-Excel-v1-03-setup.exe
Test files: xls (for Office 2003), xlsm (for Office 2007 and 2010)

Created November 8, 2011, Updated May 9, 2016