Scatter plots (also called XY graphs) are one of the best types of graphs to effectively visualize the relationship between two sets of data. When it comes to finding trends, correlations, and anomalies, scatter plots provide a clear representation of data. Whether you’re comparing sales and advertising spend, or temperature and energy usage, scatter plot charts help you gain powerful insights.

In this article, we'll take a closer look at what scatter plots are, their benefits, and how to make your own scatter plot with Excelkits ' scatter plot maker.

What are Scatter Plot Charts?

Scatter plot charts, also known as XY graphs, are two-dimensional graphs that plot data points on a horizontal (x-axis) and vertical (y-axis) plane, used to show the relationship between two numeric variables. Every point in the plot represents a value pair, allowing us to visualize trends, correlations, or patterns in the data.

Why Are Scatter Plot Charts Beneficial?

There are several reasons why scatter plot charts are useful. First, they make it easier to identify the relationship between two variables. Whether you're looking to see how one figure influences another or whether there is a pattern that exists, scatter plots make insights visible immediately. On top of that, scatter plots are ideal for spotting any outliers or abnormalities (data points that are significantly different from the rest).

These visualizations bring out irregularities or specific areas that may require further analysis quickly. They are also helpful in visualizing trends and correlations. So you can easily show positive or negative correlations. The other major advantage is the clarity with which scatter plots are able to display data. Unlike some other types of charts that can become overwhelming when working with large datasets, scatter plots are simple and allow you to concentrate on the relationship between variables without confusion.

When to Use a Scatter Plot Graph?

Scatter plot graphs are widely used since they are so versatile and can be used in many different scenarios that involve two variables. Here are some additional use cases where scatter plots are particularly beneficial:

Customer Analytics: A scatter plot can allow businesses to analyze customer data, such as the relationship between customer age and spending behavior or between customer satisfaction and product usage. Utilizing these insights can aid marketing strategies, product development, and customer segmentation.

Education: In educational institutions, scatter plots are highly beneficial in studying the correlation between data like study time and exam scores or the impact of class attendance on student performance. This data will allow teachers and administrators to pinpoint where students might require more support.

Supply Chain & Logistics: Scatter plots show the relationship between delivery times and the distance traveled, or inventory levels and sales rates, among others, guiding companies to optimize their logistics, supply chains, and demand estimation.

Economics and Finance: In finance, scatter plots are often used to examine relationships such as stock market performance and macroeconomic variables or interest rates and inflation correlation. Economists might use them to visualize economic models and extract insights from real-world data.

Manufacturing: In the manufacturing industry, scatter plots can be used to identify correlations between machine performance and output quality and to determine how factors such as temperature, humidity, or any other variable affect production efficiency.

Healthcare: Medical researchers could use scatter plots to identify relationships between patient data, such as age and cholesterol levels, or physical activity and blood pressure. It aids in the identification of factors associated with health conditions and, based on that, helps entail better treatment plans.

How to Make a Scatter Plot with a Scatter Graph Maker?

With a scatter plot maker, creating a scatter plot is straightforward. These tools make the whole process easier so you can focus on the data insights and not on creative efforts. Here are the steps for using a scatter plot graph maker to make your own chart.

1. Choose Your Scatter Plot Maker

Select an online tool like Excelkits ' free scatter plot maker. This tool offers a wide range of data input options and customizable features. It supports file formats like CSV and XLSX, making it quick and easy to upload your data and get started.

2. Input Your Data

Organize your data into columns with the appropriate categories and values. Once you've structured your data, you can either manually input it into the scatter plot maker with two sets of data, upload a file, or connect directly to a live data source like Google Sheets. This will allow your chart to update automatically as your data changes.

3. Customize Your Chart

Personalize your scatter plot by adjusting key elements like colors, axis labels, and chart title. This scatter plot maker, with a line of best fit, also enables you to add a trendline to help visualize correlations between variables. This is especially useful for spotting linear relationships. The trendline can be added with just a toggle switch. Additionally, Excelkits lets you choose from a variety of pre-designed color palettes or use the theme support to adjust the chart's aesthetics to match your preferences.

4. Download and Share Your Chart

Once your scatter plot is ready, save it as an image file (PNG or JPEG) for easy sharing. You can embed it in reports or websites, or share it directly with colleagues or stakeholders. The process is simple and ensures that your data insights are presented clearly and professionally.

How to Make a Scatter Plot in Google Sheets

Google Sheets offers an easy way to create scatter plots, which can be a great starting point for visualizing data. Here’s how to do it:

1. Place your data in two columns: one for the x-axis and another for the y-axis values.
2. Highlight the data you want to use for the scatter plot.
3. Click on the "Insert" tab, then "Chart", then select "Scatter chart" from the Chart type list.
4. Customize the chart using the Chart Editor on the right side to customize your scatter plot by adding titles, axis labels, and adjusting the color of the data points.
5. Save or export the chart for use in presentations or reports, or share the Google Sheets link with others.

How to Make a Scatter Plot in Excel

Excel is one of the most popular tools for creating scatter plots. Follow these steps to create your scatter plot in Excel:

1. Add your data to your Excel spreadsheet. Your data must be in two columns, one each for the x-axis values and the y-axis values.
2. Select all data in your table, move to the Insert tab, and click on the Scatter chart icon.
3. You can customize the scatter plot in Excel by adding axis titles, changing the color of the data points, and adjusting the scale of the axes.
4. Save or export the chart for your required use.

Excelkits Free Scatter Plot Maker

The Excelkits free scatter plot maker is an easy-to-use yet powerful solution for creating professional scatter plots in minutes. The free plan provides users with three embeddable widgets, up to 1,000 monthly views, plus access to the template database — ideal for solopreneurs or small teams just getting started with their content creation journey.

For users who require a bit more, upgrading to one of the premium plans gives access to several advanced features like real-time data syncing, more widgets, more monthly views, Google Sheet sync, project support, and more! Excelkits has all the building blocks you need to bring your data to life, whether you want to create a simple scatter plot or an interactive, live dashboard. Get started today.