Scatter Plot Chart in Power BI

A Scatter Plot chart is a powerful visualization tool used to analyze relationships between two numerical variables. They help in identifying patterns, correlations in data, which makes them useful for data analysis. You can also enhance scatter plots by using color and size to represent additional variables, providing deeper insights. Power BI’s interactive features make it easy to explore specific data points and uncover hidden trends. In this blog, you will learn about the Scatter Plot chart, its advantages, and how to create it in Power BI.

Table of Contents:

• What is a Scatter Plot Chart in Power BI?
• When Should You Use a Scatter Plot in Power BI?
• Advantages of using the Scatter Plot Chart in Power BI
• How to Create a Scatter Plot Chart in Power BI
• Best Practices
• Conclusion

What is a Scatter Plot Chart in Power BI?

A Scatter Plot chart in Power BI, also known as a scattergram or scatter graph, is used to display values for two variables for a data set. The data is displayed as a collection of points, each representing the values of two variables. One variable determines the horizontal position (X-axis), while the other determines the vertical position (Y-axis).

Scatter plots are widely used in data science and business analysis to:

• Examine the relationship between two continuous variables.
• Identify outliers and data clustering.
• Analyze the distribution pattern.

Characteristics of Scatter Plot in Power BI:

• You can add a third variable (like color or size) to show even more information.
• It is used to display data as points on a Cartesian plane.
• The X-axis and Y-axis are both used to represent numerical values.
• It is useful for identifying trends and correlations.

When Should You Use a Scatter Plot in Power BI?

• Analyze Relationships: Scatter plot charts are used to understand and analyze the relationship between data.
• Identify Outliers: It is used to identify the unusual points that deviate from the general pattern.
• Compare Large Datasets: When comparing large datasets, it is used to explore patterns and clusters.
• Explore Trends: It is used to observe upward and downward trends across two variables.

Some common use cases for using a scatter plot chart in Power BI include:

• Marketing vs. Sales: See if your marketing budget helps grow revenue.
• Performance analysis: Compare two test scores, or employee efficiency vs. output.
• Customer behavior: Time spent on website vs. purchase value.
• Business trends: Inventory stock vs. demand over time.

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Advantages of using the Scatter Plot Chart in Power BI

• They reveal patterns fast: Instantly see if there’s a positive trend, a negative one, or no pattern at all.
• They’re great for big datasets: Even thousands of points can still tell a clear story.
• Show more in one chart: Add size or color to the dots to pack in more meaning.
• Great for decision making: Clear visuals make it easier to explain findings to stakeholders.

How to Create a Scatter Plot Chart in Power BI

Let’s consider an example using a small dataset:

We’ll compare Marketing Spend (X-axis) with Sales (Y-axis).

Step 1: Load Your Data

Open Power BI Desktop and do this:

• Click on Home > Get Data > Enter Data.
• Type or paste in your table values.
• Click Load.

Step 2: Add the Scatter Chart

• From the Visualizations panel on the right, choose the Scatter chart (the one with lots of dots).
• A blank chart appears on your canvas.

Step 3: Assign Fields to the Chart

Drag and drop fields into the following areas:

• X-axis → Marketing Spend
• Y-axis → Sales
• Details → Product (This field makes sure each product is shown as a separate dot on the scatter plot, so the data isn’t combined)

Result:

Explanation: Here, a Scatter Plot chart is used to compare marketing spend to sales.

Best Practices

• Add a trendline: Helps you see the overall direction, like up, down, or flat.
• Avoid too many colors: Keep it simple unless you’re making a heat map.
• Zoom in: Use filters or slicers to focus on specific data ranges.
• Use consistent sizing: If you use dot size for a third variable, keep it readable.
• Name everything: Always label your axes clearly.

Conclusion

Scatter Plot charts in Power BI are a great way to visualize the relationship between two numerical variables. They help you identify trends and patterns, providing deeper insights for analysis and decision-making, allowing you to better analyze your data and make evidence-based decisions. You can also add color or size, thus adding dimension without messing up the plot. Power BI allows you to quickly build an interactive scatter plot and use it as a tile in your dashboard and filter dynamically.

To learn more about Power BI and its functions, check out this Power BI Course and also explore Power BI Interview Questions prepared by industry experts.

Scatter Plot Chart in Power BI – FAQs