How to Create a Scatter Plot in Excel with 3 Variables?

A Scatter Plot in Excel is one of the best-suited visualization designs for displaying causal relationships in data with more than 2 variables.

Why?

The chart uses a series of dots to display insights into varying sets of data. Interpreting the Scatter Plot with 3 variables in Excel is amazingly easy, even for non-technical audiences (and readers).

To display relationships and associations in your raw data, we suggest you give a Scatter Plot in Excel a try.

In this blog, you’ll learn:

Table of Contents:

1. Understanding Scatter Plots in Excel
2. Scatter Plot with 3 Variables
3. How to Arrange Data for Scatter Graph Excel?
4. Can We Create a Scatter Plot with 3 Variables?
5. How to Create a Scatter Plot in Excel with 3 Variables?
6. How to Create a Scatter Plot in Excel with 2 Variables?
7. Advantages 
8. Why Do We Use Scatter Plot Graphs in Excel?
9. How does Scatter Plot Display Various Types of Relationships in Excel?
10. Top 6 Best Practices For Excel XY Plot
11. Wrap up

Let’s define the chart before delving right into the “How to Create a Scatter Plot in Excel with 3 Variables?”.

Understanding Scatter Plots in Excel

A Scatter Plot in Excel is an easy-to-interpret chart you can use to display the relationships between different variables.

This chart communicates insights using dots or markers between its x and y-axes. Essentially, each of the chart’s dots appears “scattered”, hence its name. You can use the Scatter Plot in Excel to compare three key variables in your data to determine the relationships.

The values for each dot are encoded by:

• Horizontal position on the x-axis
• Vertical position on the y-axis
• The physical size

Scatter Plot with 3 Variables

Take a look at an example of a Scatter Plot Chart in Excel below.

There’s a linear relationship between the number of orders and sales, albeit relatively weaker. In other words, the number of orders increases with sales to a certain degree.

How to create a Scatter Plot in Excel with 3 variables does not have to throw a curveball at you. Keep reading to discover more.

How to Arrange Data for Scatter Graph Excel?

• Organize Data:
  • Enter your X-axis data (independent variable) in one column.
  • Enter your Y-axis data (dependent variable) in the adjacent column.
• Select Data:
  • Highlight both columns of data, including headers if you have them.
• Insert Scatter Plot:
  • Go to the Insert tab on the Ribbon.
  • In the Charts group, click on Scatter.
  • Choose the scatter plot type you prefer (e.g., Scatter with Markers, Scatter with Lines).
• Customize Your Chart:
  • Use Chart Tools on the Ribbon to add titles, adjust axis labels, change marker styles, and customize other chart elements.
• Verify and Adjust:
  • Ensure your data points are plotted correctly.
  • Adjust chart formatting as needed for clarity and readability.

Can We Create a Scatter Plot with 2 or More Variables?

Yes, it’s possible to generate a Scatter Plot in Excel with 2 or more variables. However, it depends highly on the tool you’re using for the task.

One of the biggest advantages of the chart is that you can easily uncover hidden “cause-and-effect” relationships between two key variables in data.

Excel is one of the best data visualization tools because it’s familiar and has been there for a long time. Besides, its parent company is a reputable technology firm globally in other segments, such as computer Windows.

However, it’s not advisable to over-rely on Excel.

Why?

Excel produces pretty basic Scatter Plot Charts and Dot Plot Charts. You have to invest significant amounts of brainpower and time editing the chart to align with your needs.

We’re not advocating you ditch Excel in favor of other expensive data visualization tools. There’s a smart Scatter Plot Chart maker (Excel-friendly add-in) you can install in your spreadsheets app to access the ready-made and visually stunning charts and graphs.

We recommend trying ChartExpo to access ready-made and visually stunning Scatter Plot Charts in Excel.

ChartExpo is a Scatter Plot generator that over 40,000 professionals worldwide use to create insightful and easy-to-understand visualizations, particularly when conducting Multivariate Analysis.

Creating a Scatter Plot Chart in Excel with 3 variables should never be a stumbling block for you. In the coming section, we’ll use a Scatter Plot Chart in ChartExpo, a powerful graph maker, to visualize sample data.

You don’t want to miss this.

How to Create a Scatter Plot in Excel with 3 Variables?

This section will use a Scatter Plot in Excel to display insights into the tabular data below.

Products Type	Products	Sales	No. of Orders	In Stock
Cosmetic	Face Primer	90	10	26
Cosmetic	Foundation	70	12	16
Cosmetic	Concealer	190	9	13
Cosmetic	Blush	880	16	21
Cosmetic	Highlighter	900	22	35
Cosmetic	Bronzer	600	23	23
Cosmetic	Powder	600	42	38
Cosmetic	Eye Primer	1300	19	43
Electronics	TVs	590	28	32
Electronics	Refrigerators	390	11	33
Electronics	Washing machines	490	41	22
Electronics	Air Conditioners	390	18	40
Electronics	Printers	260	17	42
Electronics	Speakers	210	2	19
Electronics	Keyboards	170	23	34
Electronics	E-Readers	170	13	25
Garments	Mobile Phones	140	27	21
Garments	Sweater	110	13	40
Garments	Hoodies	110	12	35
Garments	T-shirts	760	6	35
Garments	Jeans	1500	7	38
Garments	Sweat Shirts	1000	19	39
Garments	Formal Trousers	150	10	28
Garments	Polo Shirts	380	14	15

Click this link to install ChartExpo into your Excel. Congratulations if you’ve installed the add-in into your spreadsheet.

To get started with ChartExpo, follow the simple steps below.

• From the Insert menu click the My Apps button to access the ChartExpo add-in.

• Select ChartExpo for Excel and click the Insert button to get started with ChartExpo.

• Once ChartExpo is loaded, you will see a list of charts.

• Look for Scatter Plot in Excel and click on the icon to get started, as shown below.

• Select the sheet holding your data and click the Create Chart From Selection button, as shown below.

• Check out your final chart below.

Insights

• Although it’s relatively weaker, there’s a linear relationship between orders and sales. In other words, the number of orders increases with sales.
• The average number of orders is 17.25.

To find more insights you can also create a bar graph with 3 variables instead of a Scatter Plot.

How to Create a Scatter Plot in Excel with 2 Variables?

This section will use a Scatter Plot Chart in Excel to display insights into the tabular data below.

How to create a Scatter Plot in Excel with 2 variables does not have to be time-intensive. Let’s visualize sample data using the scatter plot maker.

Cities	Products	Store Sales	Margin %
Dallas	Bread	21835	36
Dallas	Butter	7958	30
Dallas	Jelly	28031	40
Dallas	Pasta	30826	17
Dallas	Cheese	8522	24
Dallas	Ice Cream	55220	41
Dallas	Soda	37511	53
Dallas	Ketchup	11332	54
Dallas	Hand Lotion	43018	31
Dallas	Batteries	30559	50
Chicago	Bread	42919	38
Chicago	Butter	10756	39
Chicago	Jelly	37659	37
Chicago	Pasta	53742	53
Chicago	Cheese	21195	48
Chicago	Ice Cream	8934	59
Chicago	Soda	37851	60
Chicago	Ketchup	11994	41
Chicago	Hand Lotion	52606	24
Chicago	Batteries	11990	19
Boston	Bread	46077	47
Boston	Butter	46566	55
Boston	Jelly	25195	25
Boston	Pasta	59368	15
Boston	Cheese	57330	18
Boston	Ice Cream	27371	14
Boston	Soda	43569	13
Boston	Ketchup	34401	47
Boston	Hand Lotion	53559	10
Boston	Batteries	34039	16

Click this link to install ChartExpo into your Excel. Congratulations if you’ve installed the add-in into your spreadsheet.

To get started with ChartExpo, follow the simple steps below.

• Click the My Apps button to access the ChartExpo add-in.
• Select ChartExpo add-in and click the Insert button.
• Once the ChartExpo is loaded, you will see a list of charts.
• Then look for “Scatter Plot” in the list of charts, as shown below.
• Select the sheet holding your data and click the Create Chart from the Selection button, as shown below.

• Check out your final chart below.

Insights

• There’s no clear relationship between sales and profit margin. It’s impossible to draw the line of best fit that connects the majority of the dots.
• The average profit margin is 35.13%.
• The average sales revenue is $35.1k.

Advantages of Using a Scatter Plot Chart in Excel

• Scatter Plot Correlation are incredibly crucial, especially if your goal is to display correlational insights.
• Data visualization experts consider a Scatter Plot an apt visualization design for showing the non-linear relationship in data.
• Scatter Plot Charts are amazingly easy to read, even for non-technical audiences.
• The range of flow of data in Scatter Plot examples is readily visible. This means you can easily point out the maximum and minimum points in your data at a snap of the fingers.

Why Do We Use a Scatter Plot Graph in Excel with 3 and 2 Variables?

Scatter Plots in Excel are best suited for visualizing data with more than 2 key variables.

The key advantage is you don’t have to use more charts to visualize complex data with more variables.

Check out the common uses of the chart below:

• You can use a Scatter Plot in Excel to investigate the relationship between key metrics (you’re actively tracking).
• You can use this chart in the quality control process as a corrective action approach, especially when investigating the causal factors of poor performance.

Keep reading because, in the next section, we’ll reveal the best Scatter Plot maker you can use to visualize your data quickly and easily.

How does a Scatter Plot in Excel with 2 or 3 Variables Display Various Types of Relationships?

The most common use of the Scatter Plot in Excel is to display the insights into two or three variables in your data.

The relationships observed can be:

• Positive

A positive correlation depicts a rise. It’s depicted as data points sloping upwards from the lower-left corner of the chart towards the upper-right.

• Negative

Conversely, a negative correlation depicts a fall. It’s depicted as data points sloping downwards from the upper-left corner of the chart towards the lower right.

• No relationship

Data that are neither positively nor negatively correlated is considered uncorrelated (null).

You can use a Scatter Plot with 3 variables to accomplish the following:

• Identify correlational relationships

Use Scatter Plots if your goal is to display the relationships between key metrics in your data.

• Identification of data patterns

Also, you can use the chart to display trends and patterns of variables in your data. The trend can point upwards, downwards, or flat areas (no change).

Top 6 Best Practices For Excel XY Plot

1. Label Axes Clearly: Ensure both X and Y axes are clearly labeled with descriptive titles and units of measurement.
2. Use Appropriate Scales: Choose scales that best represent the data, avoiding distortion or misleading interpretations.
3. Select Data Points Wisely: Highlight data points with different colors or markers to differentiate between categories or series.
4. Add a Legend: Include a legend if multiple data series are plotted, to help identify each series.
5. Include Gridlines: Add gridlines to improve readability and allow for easier comparison of data points.
6. Optimize Data Range: Use an appropriate data range to avoid clutter and focus on relevant data.

FAQs:

How do you make a Scatter Plot with 3 Variables in Excel?

Tools, such as Excel, come packed with basic Scatter Plot Charts, which implies you have to spend more time and energy editing.

But you can overcome the challenge above by downloading and installing a particular add-in for Excel called ChartExpo. The aforementioned tool can help you access a ready-made Scatter Plot with 3 variables.

Wrap Up

As we said, a Scatter Plot in Excel is one of the best-suited visualization designs for displaying causal relationships in data with 3 variables.

The visualization design uses a series of dots to display insights into two varying sets of data. Interpreting the Scatter Plot with 3 variables in Excel is amazingly easy, even for non-technical audiences (and readers).

To display relationships in your raw data, we suggest you give a Scatter Plot in Excel a try.

Excel is the logical choice for many because it’s inexpensive. However, the tool produces less desirable Scatter Plot Charts, which require extra time and effort to customize.

How to create a Scatter Plot in Excel with 3 variables does not have to overwhelm or even stress you.

You have an option of installing a particular add-in if your goal is to access ready-to-use Scatter Plot Charts.

We recommend you install third-party apps, such as ChartExpo to access ready-to-use Scatter Plot with 3 variables. This easy-to-use data visualization tool comes as an add-on you can easily download and install in your spreadsheet app.

ChartExpo comes loaded with an insightful and easy-to-interpret Scatter Plot, plus it has a variety of different charts. Besides, you don’t need programming or coding skills to visualize your data using the add-in for Excel.

Sign up for a 7-day free trial today to access a ready-made and crystal-clear Scatter Plot with 3 variables for your data stories.