How to Plot a Scatter Plot in Excel?

If you’re looking to brush up on your data visualization skills, plotting a scatter plot in Excel can be an incredibly useful tool. Visualizing data with a scatter plot can help you identify trends in your data and gain more insights into the relationships between different data points. In this article, we’ll show you how to create a scatter plot in Excel, and how to customize it to get the best results. So whether you’re a beginner or an experienced Excel user, let’s get started.

What is a scatter plot?

A scatter plot is a type of chart or graph used to visualize the relationship between two numerical variables. It is also known as a scatter chart, scattergram, scatter diagram, or correlation chart. Scatter plots are used to plot data points on a horizontal and vertical axis in the form of a collection of points, showing the relationship between them.

When used to plot data points in a two-dimensional graph, the vertical axis is often labeled as the “y-axis” and the horizontal axis is labeled as the “x-axis”. The data points that are plotted on the graph provide information about the correlation between the two variables, in terms of its strength and direction. A scatter plot can also be used to identify potential outliers.

How to Create a Scatter Plot in Excel?

Creating a scatter plot in Excel is relatively simple. The first step is to enter the data into an Excel worksheet. The data should be in two columns, with the x-values in the first column and the y-values in the second column.

Once the data has been entered, select the two columns of data. Then, click the Insert tab on the Excel ribbon, and click the Scatter option. This will open a dialogue box with various options for the type of chart to be created. Select the Scatter option and click OK. This will create the basic scatter plot.

If the chart needs to be customized, the Design tab on the Excel ribbon can be used. This tab offers various options, such as changing the chart title, adding a legend, adding labels and more.

Formatting the X-axis and Y-axis of the Scatter Plot

The x-axis and y-axis of the scatter plot can also be formatted. To do this, right-click on the chart, and select the Format Axis option. This will open a dialogue box with various options for formatting the axis. Some of the options include changing the scale of the axis, adding a title to the axis, and changing the line and tick mark styles.

Once the formatting is complete, the chart should be ready to use.

Adding a Trend Line to the Scatter Plot

A trend line can be added to the scatter plot to better visualize the data points. To add a trend line, right-click on the chart, and select the Add Trendline option. This will open a dialogue box with various options for the type of trend line to be added. Select the option that best fits the data, and click OK.

Formatting the Trend Line

Once the trend line has been added to the chart, it can be formatted to make it more visually appealing. To do this, right-click on the trend line and select the Format Trendline option. This will open a dialogue box with various options for formatting the trend line. Some of the options include changing the line style, adding markers, and adding a trend line label.

Saving the Scatter Plot

Once the chart is complete, it can be saved for future use. To do this, click the File tab on the Excel ribbon, and select the Save As option. This will open a dialogue box with various options for saving the chart. Select the option to save the chart as an image file, and click Save.

Related Faq

What is a Scatter Plot?

A scatter plot is a type of graph used to show the relationship between two numerical variables. It is used to plot the data points on a two-dimensional graph, which can be used to analyze trends and patterns in the data.

How to Plot a Scatter Plot in Excel?

Plotting a scatter plot in Excel is relatively simple. First, select the data range that you want to plot. Then, click the Insert tab and select Scatter from the Charts group. Finally, select the type of scatter plot you want to create (e.g. scatter, smooth, or bubble).

What Types of Data are Suitable for a Scatter Plot?

Scatter plots are suitable for data that includes two or more numerical variables. This can include data that is categorical or quantitative, or a combination of both.

What Does the Scatter Plot Show?

The scatter plot shows the relationship between two numerical variables. This relationship can be used to draw conclusions about the data, such as the correlation between the two variables or the trend of one variable as the other changes.

What Are the Benefits of Using a Scatter Plot?

Scatter plots are useful for visualizing relationships between two variables. This can be used to identify patterns or trends in the data, identify outliers, or draw conclusions about the data.

Are There Other Ways to Plot a Scatter Plot?

Yes, there are other ways to plot a scatter plot. Many statistical software packages, such as SPSS, SAS, and R, can also be used to plot scatter plots. Additionally, online tools such as Plotly or Chartio can be used to generate scatter plots.

Creating a Scatter Plot in Excel 2016

In conclusion, plotting a scatter plot in Excel is a simple task that anyone can do with just a few clicks. With the help of a few easy steps, you can easily create a scatter plot graph in Excel. All you need is the data you want to plot, a few clicks of the mouse, and you’ll be ready to visualize your data in a powerful scatter plot. With a scatter plot, you’ll be able to quickly identify trends and outliers in your data, making it a great way to quickly analyze and gain insights from your data.