A scatter plot (also known as a scatter plot) is a useful tool for data analysts, helping to visually explore and analyze two different data sets. For example, if you’re comparing sales results between different sales teams, a scatter chart will let you see who’s performing the best (or worst), just like a line chart.
While you can use Excel to create a scatter chart, another way you can do it is to use Google Sheets to do a scatter plot instead. In this article, we’ll explain how to create a scatter chart in Google Sheets, including how to customize it once it’s created.
How to create a scatter chart in Google Sheets
Scatter charts, as the name suggests, use dots scattered across a chart to visualize two or more types of linked data. For example, if you wanted to compare the sales and profits of a sales team, a scatter chart (showing profit versus sales revenue) would be perfect, showing profit and revenue for each individual. salesman.
As long as you have two data sets that are comparable, you can create a scatter chart, and Google Sheets makes this easy with its charting tool.
- To create a scatter chart in Google Sheets, open a spreadsheet and select the cells containing your data. With the data selected, select Insert > Charts from the menu.
- This will open Chart Editor in the right panel. Google Sheets will automatically try to determine the type of chart or graph it will use with the selected data. If Google Sheets doesn’t automatically select a scatter chart, select it from Chart Type drop-down menu, listed below Establish navigation. If you’re not sure what each chart is, hover over it to list the names.
- The chart editor will use the selected cells to create a data range for the plot chart. If you want to change this, press Select data range button (next to Data range box). Alternatively, enter a range of cells in Data range craft box.
- The inserted chart will immediately update to the new chart type. By default, a scatter plot will have X-axis data link two types of data together (for example, the name of the sales team). The series will show two (or more) types of data that you want to compare (e.g. profit and revenue). To add additional series, select Add string and select one of the additional datasets.
- If you need to delete one of the strings, select hamburger menu iconthen choose Eliminate right to buy.
- If you want Google Sheets to use the top row to create the header, select Use row 1 as header check box. To use the first column as a label (displayed along X-axis), choose Use column A as label check box. You can also switch rows and columns by selecting Row/column conversion check box.
Customize a distributed batch
Like all charts and graphs in Google Sheets, the chart editor offers some additional customization options. This allows you to change labels, axis titles, colors, fonts, etc.
- To customize the scatter chart, make sure that chart editor The panel on the right side is visible. Otherwise, select the chart, then select hamburger menu icon at the top right. From the menu, select Edit chart right to buy.
- inside Custom tab of Chart Editor , you can start making changes to your chart. To change the color and font of the chart, select Chart Style category and select one of the options (for example: background color) to make the changes. Any changes you make will appear automatically.
- Below Chart title and axis, you can change the titles displayed for the chart and chart axes. Choose a title option from Chart title drop-down menu then insert the text you want to use Text title box. You can then format the text (including fonts, formatting, and colors) in the options below the box.
- By default, data points on a Google Sheets scatter chart are displayed as circle. To use a different shape (for example, a triangle or an X), select Series category, then choose a new shape from Point shape drop-down menu. You can also choose a new point size from Spot size drop-down menu.
- The legend allows you to define to which data the set of points on the scatter plot belongs. To change the font, format, color, and position of the legend, select Legend directory and make changes using the options provided.
- inside Horizontal and Vertical categories, you can change how the different axis labels are formatted. Choose one of two categories, then make changes to the font, font size, format, and color from the options provided. If you want to reverse the axis order (left to right or right to left), select Reverse axis order check box.
- To make your scatter plot more visible, you can add gridlines and ticks. To do this, select Gridlines and ticks category, then choose either Horizontal or Vertical from the drop-down menu. With Horizontal option selected, select Main ticks check box to enable the tick on the horizontal axis, then make other changes to the settings (including position, length, color, and thickness) below it.
- With Vertical option selected in Gridlines and ticks , you can enable gridlines (both primary and secondary) and markers for the vertical axis. Choose Main Grid Line, Minor Grid Line, Main ticks or Small ticks check box to enable these options, then make changes to the settings (including color, position, length, thickness, and hue) below it.
Create intuitive spreadsheets
Now that you know how to create a scatter chart in Google Sheets, you can also experiment with creating other Google Sheets charts and graphs for data analysis, from line charts to bar charts . If you’re struggling, there are Google Sheets templates you can use to get started, ready for you to fill in data and create your own charts around it.
Experienced Excel users can also convert spreadsheet to Google Sheets easily, although some features (like Excel macros) will not be supported. You can go even further, using Google Sheets Scripts to extend functionality and integrate spreadsheets with other Google and third-party services.
