Objectives: Forest plots drawn using the free software package RevMan 5.3 are difficult to modify. This study sought to recreate forest plots from the results of meta-analyses in published articles of the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) by using Microsoft Excel 2016. Methods: The topic keywords "Excel AND meta-analysis OR meta-analysis" and "Excel AND forest plot" were searched for in PubMed and a Chinese-language electronic journal service. In addition, the keyword "forest plot" was searched for using Google. Example forest plots were collected from journals such as the NEJM and Lancet. Results: Four articles were found, all of which explored how to use Excel to calculate the effect size and 95% confidence interval without particular focus on drawing forest plots. All forest plots found in the journal search could be plotted using Excel; furthermore, Excel could be used to calculate the results of the multivariate regressions in the meta-analyses. Excel provides great freedom to modify forest plots regardless of the line or shape required and is a commonly used piece of software that is easy to learn. Conclusions: Excel can be used to draw forest plots that are consistent with presentations used in journals; moreover, such plots are easily modifiable and are therefore suitable for practical application in medical research and by teaching personnel.