1. Creating the basic scatter chart Creating the Basic XYScatter Chart, Slide 1Copyright © 2004, Jim Schwab, University of Texas at Austin A scatter chart, or (XY) Scatter chart in Excel terminology, can be used for any combination of two numeric variables. Since dates and time are represented by numbers in Excel, dates and times can also be used in an scatter chart. The advantage of using a scatter chart instead of a line chart for data over time is that it does not require that the time intervals be a complete sequence. The scatter chart is effective even when time periods are missing from the data being charted. A scatter chart often includes a trendline which indicates the overall pattern of relationship between the two variables. The trendline can be linear, or follow a curvilinear function such as the growth curve or a polynomial curve. In addition to displaying data over time, scatter charts are used to visually depict the relationship between two numeric variables, e.g. education and income. The slope, or angle, of the trendline and the narrowness of the band of points around the trendline are interpreted as indicators of the direction and strength of the relationship between the variables.

2. Data for the scatter chart The (XY) Scatter chart is used to depict the relationship between two variables. As such, it requires that the data input to the chart include two columns of data. The first column of data will be plotted on the horizontal axis, and the second column of data will be plotted on the vertical axis. If only one column of data is input to the scatter chart, it will be plotted on the vertical axis, and the horizontal axis will contain the numeric position of the value in the sequence. The (XY) Scatter chart is used to depict the relationship between two variables. As such, it requires that the data input to the chart include two columns of data. The first column of data will be plotted on the horizontal axis, and the second column of data will be plotted on the vertical axis. If only one column of data is input to the scatter chart, it will be plotted on the vertical axis, and the horizontal axis will contain the numeric position of the value in the sequence. Creating the Basic XYScatter Chart, Slide 2Copyright © 2004, Jim Schwab, University of Texas at Austin

3. Opening the chart tool bar We will use the chart tool bar to create the basic chart. Open the Chart tool bar from the View > Toolbars menu. We will use the chart tool bar to create the basic chart. Open the Chart tool bar from the View > Toolbars menu. Another tool for creating charts is the Chart Wizard on the Standard tool bar. Creating the Basic XYScatter Chart, Slide 3Copyright © 2004, Jim Schwab, University of Texas at Austin

4. Selecting scatter chart as the chart type First, on the Chart tool bar, click on the down arrow button for the Chart Type tool button. Second, click on the icon for the (XY) Scatter Chart. Creating the Basic XYScatter Chart, Slide 4Copyright © 2004, Jim Schwab, University of Texas at Austin

5. The basic scatterchart Excel creates a basic scatter chart with a legend indicating the categories associated with the slices. The data in the first column, years in this example, is plotted on the horizontal axis. The data in the second column is plotted on the vertical axis. Creating the Basic XYScatter Chart, Slide 5Copyright © 2004, Jim Schwab, University of Texas at Austin

6. Closing the chart tool bar While a few of the tools buttons on the chart tool bar enable us to enhance the chart, there are many that are missing. We will close the chart tool bar and use popup context menus to add features to the chart. To close the chart tool bar, click on its close box. Creating the Basic XYScatter Chart, Slide 6Copyright © 2004, Jim Schwab, University of Texas at Austin