Scatter plot encodes values as position of points on two quantitative axes. John Herschel plotted orbits; Galton’s 1880s regressions made the form famous.
In reports, ads and assignments it fits correlation, outliers and clusters in two measures. Skip it when one axis is not quantitative, or time is the real story.
Use when
- Use when 1 — correlation, outliers and clusters in two measures
- Use when 2 — Excel or Google Sheets
- Use when 3 — PowerPoint
- Use when 4 — lab reports and poster boards
- Use when 5 — Meta, Google and retail print
Avoid when
- Avoid when 1 — one axis is not quantitative, or time is the real story
- Avoid when 2 — 3-D, dual axes, rainbow scales
- Avoid when 3 — Undated numbers, undated time series
- Avoid when 4 — Four charts on one slide
Audiences
- Work — PowerPoint
- Ads — Meta, Google and retail print
- School — lab reports and poster boards
Scatter plot: honour position of points on two quantitative axes, and switch when one axis is not quantitative, or time is the real story.