How to Plot Scatter Plot Correlation Chart? Easy to Follow Steps

Scatter Plot Correlation Chart is among the best-suited visualization designs for displaying causal relationships.

The graph is amazingly easy to read and understand. Our brains can easily identify a trend using dots. For instance, dots progressing on an upward-right side symbolize a linear (causal-effect) relationship.

Therefore, learning how to create a Scatter Plot Correlation Graph is a massive leap toward crafting compelling data stories.

Data with no accompanying narrative is boring to any audience, including engineers perceived to be very analytical. If you want to churn out your audience, talk about numbers.

Narratives have an emotional appeal. Learning how to make easy-to-read and interpret charts, such as Scatter Plot, is a potent tool for data storytelling.

However, it does not have to be time-consuming or overwhelming, especially if you’re an ardent Google Sheets user. The tool generates basic charts, which require additional time and effort to edit.

You can access ready-made and visually stunning Scatter Plot Correlation Graphs by installing a particular add-on into Google Sheets.

Table of Content:

1. What is a Scatter Plot, and what is its Purpose?
2. What Kind of Association Does the Scatter Plot Show?
3. What are the Three Types of Scatter Plot Correlations?
4. How to Generate a Scatter Plot Correlation Chart?
5. Benefits of Using Scatter Plot
6. Wrap Up

What is a Scatter Plot, and what is its Purpose?

Definition: A Scatter Plot Correlation Chart (also known as Scatter Plot) is a visualization design that uses Cartesian coordinates to display insights into varying metrics in data.

More so, it uses dots to display relationships between variables.

The Scatter Plot communicates insights using dots or markers between x and y-axes. Essentially, each of the chart’s dots appears “scattered” hence its name. You can use Scatter Plot to determine the causal-effect relationship between key data points.

For instance, you can use the visualization design to track the relationship between profits and employees’ training in your business.

The Scatter Plot Correlation Graph 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 to compare two or more key variables in your data for in-depth and actionable insights.

The values for each dot are encoded by:

• Horizontal position on the x-axis
• Vertical position on the y-axis

Keep reading because we’ll address the following question in the next section: what kind of association does the scatter plot show?

What Kind of Association Does the Scatter Plot Show?

The Scatter Plot is best chart to show correlation between two or more variables.

If variables increase and decrease together, the association is positive. Conversely, if one variable increases as the other decreases, the association is negative.

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

Plotting this chart helps you determine whether there’s a potential relationship between critical metrics in your data. In fact, Scatter Plots’ primary uses are to observe and show relationships between two numeric variables.

The dots in a Scatter Plot also report the trend and patterns of the data.

In the next section, we’ll address the following question: what are the three types of Scatter Plot correlations?

What are the Three Types of Scatter Plot Correlations?

There are different types of correlation that a Scatter Plot Correlation Chart displays. Correlations have two properties, namely:

• Direction
• Strength

Let’s check out the 3 relationships depicted in the chart:

1. Scatter Charts with Strong Correlation

In this type of chart, the data is plotted in dots, keeping the dependent variable on the y-axis and the independent variable on the x-axis.

More so, all the markers or data dots are closely arranged in a linear way; a line can be drawn by joining them. Thus, it denotes the strong correlation between key data points.

2. Scatter Chart with Negative Correlation

In this type of chart, the data points are arranged in a close-knit manner. They’re not entirely linear. So, you cannot draw a straight line through them. Nevertheless, there’s a relationship between the variables.

3. Scatter Chart with No Correlation

In the screenshot above, data points are scattered all over the place. There’s no significant relationship between data points.

The positive and negative relationships in a Scatter Plot Correlation Chart can be further categorized into:

• Strong Positive Correlation: The value of the dependent variables increases as the value of the independent variable increases.
• Weak Positive Correlation: The value of the dependent variable increases slightly as the value of the independent variable increases.
• Strong Negative Correlation: The value of the dependent variable decreases as the value of the independent variable increases.
• Weak Negative Correction: The value of the dependent variable decreases slightly as the value of the independent variable increases.
• Complex Correlation: There’s no straightforward relationship between the dependent and independent variables.

How to Generate a Scatter Plot Correlation Chart?

Google Sheets is a trusted data visualization tool 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 Google Search.

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

Why?

Google Sheets produces pretty basic Scatter Plot Correlation 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 Google Sheets in favor of other expensive data visualization tools.

There’s an intelligent Scatter Chart maker called ChartExpo you can install in your spreadsheets app to access the ready-made and visually stunning charts.

Why ChartExpo?

ChartExpo is an add-on for Google Sheets that you can easily install in your Google Sheets.

With 50+ ready-made visualizations, ChartExpo turns your complex, raw data into compelling, easy-to-digest, visual renderings that tell the story of your data.

The Scatter Plot generator produces simple and clear visualization designs with just a few clicks. Yes, ChartExpo generates charts that are amazingly easy to interpret, even for non-technical audiences.

Example

This section will use the Scatter Plot Correlation to visualize the data below.

Products Type	Products	Profit	Cost	No. of Orders
Cosmetic	Face Primer	15.79	90	10
Cosmetic	Foundation	20.13	70	12
Cosmetic	Concealer	38.62	190	9
Cosmetic	Blush	34.62	880	16
Cosmetic	Highlighter	71.84	900	22
Cosmetic	Bronzer	71.84	600	23
Cosmetic	Powder	32.77	600	42
Cosmetic	Eye Primer	21.8	1300	19
Electronics	TVs	110	590	28
Electronics	refrigerators	12.61	390	11
Electronics	washing machines	70.21	490	41
Electronics	air conditioners	70.21	390	18
Electronics	printers	68.83	260	17
Electronics	speakers	17.55	210	2
Electronics	keyboards	54.74	170	23
Electronics	e-readers	12.66	170	13
Garments	mobile phones	47.36	140	27
Garments	Sweater	83.64	110	13
Garments	Hoodies	83.64	110	12
Garments	T-shirts	22	760	6
Garments	Jeans	75	1500	7
Garments	sweatshirts	11.75	1000	19
Garments	formal trousers	98	150	10
Garments	polo shirts	27.77	380	14

Install the ChartExpo add-on for Google Sheets using this link, and then follow the simple and easy steps below.

• Open your Google Sheets application and paste the table above.
• Open the worksheet and click Extensions.
• Then click Charts, Graphs & Visualizations by ChartExpo button. Finally, click the Open button in the dropdown.

• Click the Add New Chart button to initiate ChartExpo’s engine, as shown below.

• Click the Search Box and type “Scatter Plot,” as shown below.

• Select the sheet holding your data and select the Metrics option. Fill in the numerical numbers (we’ll use the profit, cost, and number of orders).
• Select the Dimensions button and fill in the dimensional data (we’ll use products and product type), as shown below.

• Finish the simple process by clicking the Create chart button, as shown above.
• Check out the final chart below.

Insights:

• The relationship between profits and costs in the garments division is inverse. In other words, profits increase with a decline in cost.
• Cosmetics and electronics divisions have no straightforward relationship between profits and costs.

You can also use ChartExpo to create Correlation Scatter Plot Chart in Excel in a few clicks without coding just as we have shown you above for Google Sheets.

Benefits of Using Scatter Plot

Scatter Plots (also known as x-y Graphs) are best suited for visualizing data with more than 2 key variables. The key advantage is that you don’t have to use more charts to visualize complex data with more variables.

You can use a Scatter Plot to investigate the relationship between key metrics (you’re actively tracking).

Secondly, you can use this chart in the quality control process as a corrective action approach, especially when investigating the causal factors of poor performance. The Scatter Plot Correlation Graph is useful when one needs to represent relationships between large data.

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

Use an XY Scatter Chart to visualize the relationship of data points that pair well naturally, such as sales revenue and profits.

Other benefits include:

• This chart is widely considered the go-to method for displaying the nonlinear relationship in data.
• A Scatter Plot Correlation Graph is incredibly easy to read and interpret, even for non-technical audiences.
• You can use the chart to show the relationship between two different variables in your data.
• The range of flow of data in the x y Graph is readily visible. Besides, you can easily spot the maximum and minimum points.

FAQs:

What is the main purpose of a Scatter Plot?

A Scatter Plot Correlation Chart (also known as Scatter Plot) is a visualization design that uses Cartesian coordinates to display insights into varying metrics in data.

More so, it uses dots to display relationships between variables.

The primary use of the chart is to display relationships between two significant points.

How to make Scatter Plot in Google Sheets?

Google Sheets has an inbuilt Scatter Plot Correlation Graph that’s pretty basic and requires a lot of work in customizations and editing.

To overcome the problem (above), supercharge your Google Sheets with add-ons, such as ChartExpo, to access insightful and easy-to-interpret Scatter Plot Charts.

Wrap Up

Scatter Plot Correlation Chart is among the best-suited visualization designs for displaying causal relationships.

The graph is amazingly easy to read and understand.

Our brains can easily identify a trend using dots. For instance, dots progressing on an upward-right side symbolize a linear (causal-effect) relationship.

Therefore, learning how to create a Scatter Plot Correlation Graph is a massive leap toward crafting compelling data stories.

Data with no accompanying narrative to appeal to emotions is boring to any audience, including engineers perceived to be very analytical.

In other words, if you want to churn out your audience, talk about numbers.

Narratives have an emotional appeal. Learning how to make easy-to-read and interpret charts, such as Scatter Plot Correlation Chart, is an incredibly powerful addition to your data storytelling weapons.

What’s the best tool to visualize data using a Scatter Plot?

Google Sheets is one of the most-used tools for visualizing data. Besides, it comes loaded with a Scatter Plot Correlation Graph, which is very basic.

So, what’s the solution?

We recommend our readers to use the ChartExpo because it’s one of the most trusted add-ons. Besides, it has a super-friendly user interface for everyone to use irrespective of their computer skill level.

Create simple and easy-to-interpret Scatter Plot charts today without breaking a sweat or wasting your time.