Using a Spreadsheet Program to Fit a Gaussian Function.

The article focuses on a method for fitting a Gaussian function—a common nonlinear curve in physics and statistics—using Microsoft Excel and other spreadsheet programs. It addresses the limitation of typical spreadsheet software, which generally supports only basic fit functions, by transforming the Gaussian fit into a second-order polynomial fit through a logarithmic transformation of the data. This approach enables users to apply standard polynomial fitting tools in Excel, Google Sheets, or LibreOffice to determine key Gaussian parameters such as the mean and standard deviation. The method is demonstrated with voltage measurement data exhibiting Gaussian noise, showing good agreement between the fitted curve and experimental data. This accessible technique offers students and researchers a practical way to perform nonlinear curve fitting without requiring advanced or costly software.