In Excel can I format one data series with custom plus and minus standard
deviation error bars and custom colors and then have the chart use that as
the default? I couln't use a format painter to do.

JBR,

Yes, once you've created the chart with your custom error bars and colors,
save it to the Custom Types Gallery:

(1) Select (active) the chart.
(2) Go to Chart - Chart Type - Custom Types Tab - User Defined.
(3) Click the Add button and you should see the Add Custom Chart Type
Dialog box.
(4) Enter a name and optional description for your chart.
(5) Click OK and your chart should appear in the Chart Type box.
(6) Use the "Set As Default Type" button which also appears under the
Custom Types Tab to cause Excel to use your new chart as the default.

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Regards,
John Mansfield
http://www.pdbook.com

"JBR" wrote:

In Excel can I format one data series with custom plus and minus standard
deviation error bars and custom colors and then have the chart use that as
the default? I couln't use a format painter to do.

"JBR" wrote:

In Excel can I format one data series with custom plus and minus standard
deviation error bars and custom colors and then have the chart use that as
the default? I couln't use a format painter to do.

John, This will save a me a huge amount of time. Thanks.