Automatically Regenerate Histogram Bins By/Via Data Analysis Toolpak

Guys, I'm in the following situation: I have a column with data, based on which I need to generate a histogram. To generate a histogram I need:
- Bins, which will have to be generated by Data Analysis toolkit, since my bins are dynamic and I can't really fix them (e.g. via intervals of tens, etc.)
- Frequency count for each bin, which is easy let's say

Now, frequency part I can easily automate via =FREQUENCY function, so let's say that's covered. Now, the question(s):
1) Is there a way (e.g. like in the case of frequency) to come up with a formula that would automatically give/create bins from source data?
2) If not, is it possible to automate bins generation via a macro which would use the Data Analysis Toolpak functionality? (or both bins and frequency, if necessary)

I need to automate bins generation/regeneration, because once the source data is updated, the bins will (and should) change. So that's why I need to get it done.


Any ideas, good people?

Yoy want a fixed number of variable-size bins that cover the extents of the data?

Originally Posted by shg

Yoy want a fixed number of variable-size bins that cover the extents of the data?

Nah, I want whatever number of bins Data Analysis Toolpak "thinks" I should have. So whatever DAT says is fine. I just need a way to automate it

I've never used the ATP for data analysis -- I prefer to write just the formulas I want -- and so have no idea how it chooses bin sizes, sorry.

Originally Posted by shg

I've never used the ATP for data analysis -- I prefer to write just the formulas I want -- and so have no idea how it choose bins sizes, sorry.

Yeah, that's exactly the problem: the LOGIC (how to divide a dataset into bins) that Data Analysis Toolpak uses is absolutely unclear and I wasn't able to find a description anywhere, so hence I was wondering ether 1) someone DOES know the logic and can come up with a way/formula for bin generation or 2) if not (which is probably the case), a way to simply automate the work of Data Analysis Toolpak.

But thanks so much anyhow!

Originally Posted by splendidus

Yeah, that's exactly the problem: the LOGIC (how to divide a dataset into bins) that Data Analysis Toolpak uses is absolutely unclear and I wasn't able to find a description anywhere, so hence I was wondering ether 1) someone DOES know the logic and can come up with a way/formula for bin generation or 2) if not (which is probably the case), a way to simply automate the work of Data Analysis Toolpak.

But thanks so much anyhow!

Guys, seriously, nobody ever needed to automate a histogram before? I honestly can't believe this is possible. C'mon now! : ))