Plots in Excel

Plots in Excel

Plots in Excel are defined as the graphs to correlate the data presented in the two columns. Plots are nothing but the scatter diagram or scatter charts in Excel to correlate the data sets in two columns. These are two dimensional XY charts to present the relationship between the two variables and analyze the data in multiple views. It is easy to make the selection of the right scatter plot to perform data analysis.

The scatter plots in excel are mainly different types including

1. Simple scatter plot
2. Scatter plot with smooth lines and markers
3. Scatter plot with smooth lines
4. Scatter plot with straight lines and markers
5. Scatter plot with straight lines
6. Bubble chart
7. 3D bubble chart

Excel scatter plot is used in the situation called the presence of a large volume of data and comparing the different data series and analyzing the quantitative articulation of change in a variable

How to Make Scatter Plots in Excel with Examples

Example#1 – Simple Scatter Plot

To create the simple scatter plot, place the data into two columns as shown in the screenshot.

Select the data including the two columns such as the advertising expenses and a number of items sold along with their column headers. In this situation, the range of data in B1:C10.

Go to insert tab and move to scatter plot and place the cursor as shown in the figure

Choose the scatter plot to represent the relationship between the data sets

The scatter plot is developed as shown in the below-mentioned figure

We can change the format and design of the chart area using the design and format tab.

Example#2 – Scatter Plot with Smooth Lines and Markers

To create the excel simple scatter plot with lines and markers, place the data into two columns as shown in the screenshot.

Select the data including the two columns such as the advertising expenses and a number of items sold along with their column headers. In this situation, the range of data in B1:C10.

Go to insert tab and choose the scatter plot with markers and lines to represent the relationship between the data sets

The scatter plot with lines and markers is shown in the below-mentioned figure.

Example#3 – Scatter Plot with Smooth Lines

To create the excel simple scatter plot with smooth lines, place the data into two columns

Select the data including the two columns such as the advertising expenses and a number of items sold along with their column headers. In this situation, the range of data in B1:C10.

Go to insert tab and move to scatter plot and choose the scatter plot with lines to represent the relationship between the data sets

The scatter plot is developed as shown in the below-mentioned figure

Example#4 – Scatter Plot with Straight Lines and Markers

To create the excel simple scatter plot with straight lines and markers, place the data into two columns as shown in the screenshot.

Select the data including the two columns such as the advertising expenses and a number of items sold along with their column headers. In this situation, the range of data in B1:C10.

Go to insert tab and move to scatter plot and choose the scatter plot to represent the relationship between the data sets

The scatter plot is developed as shown in the below-mentioned figure

Change the chart type to scatter with straight lines as shown in the figure

The scatter with straight lines is developed as shown in the below-mentioned figure

Example#5 – Bubble Chart

To create the simple bubble plot, place the data into two columns as shown in the screenshot.

Select the data including the two columns such as the advertising expenses and a number of items sold along with their column headers. In this situation, the range of data in B1:C10.

Go to insert tab and move to bubble plot and choose the bubble plot to represent the relationship between the data sets

The bubble plot is developed as shown in the below-mentioned figure

Change the chart type to 3D bubble plot as shown in the figure

The 3D bubble plot is developed as shown in the below-mentioned figure.

Applications of Plots in Excel

Scatter plots have different applications in Excel. These are used in

• Resolve a problem through data analysis
• Determining the correlation between the independent and dependent variables.
• It is used as the quality tool in determining the causes of a problem
• It is used for testing the autocorrelation in prior to building the control charts in quality analysis
• It helps to show the non-linear pattern
• A user can easily identify the minimum and maximum value in the range of data flow
• Three kinds of relationships between variables such as no relation, positive, and negative relationships are analyzed effectively by using the excel scatter plot. It helps to understand how changes in one factor will affect another factor.

Things to Remember

• It is hard to create the chart if the data of a variable is presented in a non-numeric format
• A small amount of data is useful in practicing performing of the better data analysis with the scatter plot
• It needs to take care while performing proper data analysis without any errors
• The user has to understand how to properly utilize and interpretation of data carefully
• Always add colors and change the format of the chart to enhance the visual appearance to users

Recommended Articles

This has been a guide to Plots in Excel. Here we learn how to make scatter plots in excel by using Scatter plot with smooth lines, Scatter plot with straight lines and markers and Bubble chart along with examples and downloadable excel template. You may learn more about excel from the following articles –

• New Line of Text in Same Excel Cell
• Make Box Plot in Excel
• Make 3D Plot in Excel
• Make Dot Plots in Excel
• Make Control Charts in Excel
• Make Chart Templates in Excel