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Home > Blog > Data Visualization > Add-ons > Google Sheets >

How to Plot a XY Scatter Chart? Easy–to–Follow Steps

Data is precious in today’s world, especially in understanding niche markets.

xy scatter chart

But crunching numbers is not an exciting and engaging activity.

And this means it’s crucial to explore other time-saving ways to present raw data in compelling and understandable ways.

This is where XY Scatter Charts come in.

Google Sheets has XY Charts you can use to visualize your data for insights. However, this chart is basic and requires a lot of time and work in customization. Besides, generating a XY Chart in Google Sheets is not as straightforward as it seems.

It turns out you can supercharge your Google Sheets with add-ons to access ready-made, insightful, and easy-to-read XY Scatter Charts.

In this blog, you’ll learn:

  • How to plot XY Scatter Charts for your data stories?
  • We’ll address the following questions:
  • What is a XY Scatter Chart?
  • What is a XY Scatter Chart used for?
  • How do you interpret a XY Scatter Plot?
  • Also, we’ll recommend the best add-on to install in Google Sheets to access ready-to-go and visually stunning XY Scatter Charts

Before diving right into the heart of the blog, let’s address the following question: what is XY Scatter Chart?

What is a XY Scatter Chart?

The XY Scatter Chart is a visualization type you can use if your goal is to extract relationship insights in your data. The easy-to-read chart uncovers relationships you cannot see using tables and visualization designs, such as Bar Chart.

This chart uses dots to represent crucial data points. The position of each dot on the horizontal and vertical axis indicates values for data points.

Use this chart to visualize the relationship between two variables in your data.

Seasoned visualization experts use Scatter Plots mainly to test hypotheses. And this occurs during the initial stages of data visualization. If you want to extract micro insights in your bulky data, give this chart a try.

Sometimes, there’re relationships between critical metrics in your data. And understanding these relationships can help you uncover actionable insights.

For instance, if you’re a human resource professional, the relationship between training hours and employee productivity is one of the issues you keep track of closely. The relationship between the number of people working in a shift and the average answer time is a significant point of interest for many call center managers.

Keep reading because we’ll address the following question in the coming section: what is a XY Scatter Chart used for?

What is a XY Scatter Plot Used For?

Check out the benefits of a XY Scatter Graph below.

  • Identify correlational relationships

Use XY 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 (i.e. no change).

Use a XY Scatter Chart to visualize the relationship of data points that pair well naturally, such as sales revenue and profits. In this scenario, you’ll be looking for the nature of the relationship, which can be positive or negative. 

Keep reading because we’ll address the following question, in the coming section: how do you create an XY Scatter Plot?

How to Create Ready-made and Visually Stunning XY Scatter 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 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 XY 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 you can easily install in your Google Sheets.

With many advanced visualizations, ChartExpo turns your complex, raw data into compelling, easy to digest, visual renderings that tell the story of your data.

The XY Scatter Chart generator produces simple and clear visualization designs with just a few clicks. Yes, ChartExpo generates many types of Scatter Plot like XY Scatter Charts and Scatter Plot Correlation Chart that are amazingly easy to interpret, even for non-technical audiences.

How To Generate XY Scatter Chart using ChartExpo Add-on?

This section will use the Scatter Chart to visualize the data below for insights.

Release Year Movies Production Budget Worldwide Gross
2019 Avengers: Endgame $400,000,000 $2,797,800,564
2011 Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides $379,000,000 $1,045,713,802
2015 Avengers: Age of Ultron $365,000,000 $1,395,316,979
2015 Star Wars Ep. VII: The Force Awakens $306,000,000 $2,064,615,817
2018 Avengers: Infinity War $300,000,000 $2,048,359,754
2007 Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End $300,000,000 $960,996,492
2017 Justice League $300,000,000 $655,945,209
2015 Spectre $300,000,000 $879,500,760
2019 Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker $275,000,000 $1,072,848,487
2018 Solo: A Star Wars Story $275,000,000 $393,151,347
2012 John Carter $263,700,000 $282,778,100
2016 Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice $263,000,000 $872,395,091
2017 Star Wars Ep. VIII: The Last Jedi $262,000,000 $1,331,635,141
2019 The Lion King $260,000,000 $1,654,367,425
2010 Tangled $260,000,000 $584,899,819

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.
  • Open the worksheet and click the Extensions.
  • Then click Charts, Graphs & Visualizations by ChartExpo.
  • Finally, click the Open button in the drop down.
open chartexpo in google sheets
  • Click the Add New Chart button to initiate ChartExpo’s engine, as shown below.
add new chart in google sheets
  • Paste the table above and then click the Search Box and type “Scatter Plot,” as shown below.
search scatter plot in google sheets
  • Select the sheet holding your data and select the Metrics Fill in the numerical numbers (in our case, we’ll use the production budget and worldwide gross revenue).
  • Select the Dimensions button and fill in the dimensional data (in our example, we’ll use release year and movies), as shown below.
create scatter plot in google sheets
  • Finish the simple process by clicking the Create Chart button, as shown above.
  • Check out the final chart below.
scatter plot in google sheets
  • To show a Polynomial Line in your XY Scatter Chart, click the Chart Settings button, as shown below.
  • Then, click the Polynomial Line box and select your preferred degree.
edit scatter plot in google sheets 034
  • Save your changes by clicking the Apply button, as shown above.
scatter plot in google sheets

How do you Interpret a XY Scatter Plot?

  • If the data show an uphill pattern as you move from left to right, then there’s a positive relationship between key variables. As the x-values increase, the y-values tend to move up.
  • If the data show a downhill pattern as you move from left to right, then there’s a negative relationship between key variables. As the x-values increase, the y-values tend to move down.
  • If the data don’t resemble either of the patterns mentioned above, then there is no relationship between key data points.

XY Scatter Chart Tips & Best Practices

  • Labeling

Ensure the x and y-axes of your Scatter Plot are adequately labeled to provide context to your audiences.

  • Scale by Value

The size or area of the XY Scatter Chart should reflect the underpinning values in your data. Avoid the rookie mistake of scaling your chart up by reflecting key data points based on diameter or radii.

  • Legend

Always provide your charts with a legend. A legend provides the context and meaning of the chart’s data points.

Types of Scatter Plot Chart

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

The relationships observed can be:

  • Positive Correlation

The positive correlation depicts a rise. More so, it’s depicted as data points sloping upwards from the lower-left corner of the chart towards the upper-right.

  • Negative Correlation

Conversely, a negative correlation depicts a fall.  And 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.

The positive and negative correlation can be further categorized as:

  • Strong Positive Correlation: The value of the dependent variable increases with the increase of the independent one.
  • Weak Positive Correlation: The value of the dependent variable increases slightly with the increase of the independent one.
  • Strong Negative Correlation: The value of the dependent variable decreases with the increase of the independent one.
  • Weak Negative Correction: The value of the dependent variable decreases slightly with the increase of the independent one.

FAQs:

What is a XY Scatter Chart used for?

Scatter (X Y) charts are typically used for showing and comparing key data points. Use XY Scatter Plots if your goal is to display the relationships between key metrics in your data.

Also, you can use the chart to display trends and patterns of variables in your data.

What are the XY Scatter Charts?

The XY Scatter Chart is a visualization type you can use if your goal is to extract relationship insights in your data. The easy-to-read chart uncovers relationships you cannot see using tables and visualization designs, such as Bar Chart.

This chart uses dots to represent crucial data points.

Why are Scatter Plots useful?

The XY Scatter Charts are incredibly crucial, especially if your goal is to uncover a correlation in your data. Also, the chart is widely considered as the go-to method in displaying the nonlinear relationship in data.

The chart is incredibly easy to read and interpret, even for non-technical audiences.

Wrap Up

As we said, it’s crucial to explore other time-saving ways to present raw data in compelling and understandable ways, which is where the XY Scatter Charts come in.

The visualization is straightforward to read, even for non-technical audiences.

Google Sheets has XY Charts you can use to visualize your data for insights. However, this chart is basic and requires a ton of time in customization. Besides, generating a XY Chart in Google Sheets is not as straightforward as it seems.

Think beyond Google Sheets if you intend to access ready-made, visually appealing, and easy-to-read XY Scatter Charts. 

We recommend installing third-party apps, such as ChartExpo, into your Google Sheets to access ready-made Scatter Plots. It’s an add-on you can easily download and install in your Google Sheets spreadsheet.

The iconic visualization tool is loaded with ready-to-use to interpret Scatter Chart Google Sheets, plus many more advanced visualization designs.

Sign up for a 7-day free trial today to access an easy-to-interpret, visually appealing, and ready-to-go XY Scatter Chart in Google Sheets.

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