How to Create a Scatter Chart in Excel on Windows or macOS
In Excel, a scatter chart displays data points positioned at coordinates located on an x-axis and y-axis. Scatter charts are sometimes called X and Y charts, scatter plots, scatter diagrams, or scatter graphs. A scatter chart helps you compare pairs of values and understand the relationship between two variables. To create a scatter plot in Excel on laptop or desktop systems, follow these steps. See Microsoft’s guide to creating all sorts of charts within Microsoft Office on Windows or macOS, see Create a chart from start to finish. The chart elements may include Axes, Axis Titles, Chart Title, Data Labels, Error Bars, Gridlines, Legend, and Trendline. Select to the right of an element name to see a triangle that allows access to additional element options. For example, next to Gridlines, you may enable Primary Major Horizontal, Primary Major Vertical, Primary Minor Horizontal, Primary Minor Vertical, or More Options. Alternatively, you can double-click (or tap) on a chart element to edit it.
How to Create a Scatter Chart in Excel on Android or iOS
To create a scatter plot in Excel on Android or iOS devices, you’ll need to install the Microsoft Excel app on your phone (Install Microsoft Excel on Android or Microsoft Excel for iOS.)
How to Adjust a Scatter Chart on a Mobile Device
To adjust individual chart elements on a mobile device, you’ll need to sign in to Microsoft Excel on Android or iOS with an Microsoft 365 subscription. (Those options will be grayed out.) Once you do, you’ll be able to adjust chart elements with the following steps: On smaller devices, such as a phone, tap the sub-menu item in the lower portion of the screen (it looks like an up-pointing arrow), then tap the word Home. The process for creating a scatter plot on mobile, laptop, and desktop systems is remarkably similar. Enter your data, select it, insert a chart, then adjust the chart details. The challenge remains making sure that a scatter chart is an appropriate way to visualize your data, and selecting the scatter chart style that best illustrates your point.
