Md. Nafis Soumik
Oftentimes, we need to draw Scatter plots in Excel. However, there is no direct way to insert a 3-axis scatter plot. Keeping this in mind, this article is a step-by-step guide to drawing a 3 Axis scatter plot in Excel.
The image below is an overview of this article which shows how to draw a 3-axis scatter plot.
In the following sections, you’ll learn more about the process and observe each step in detail.
Download Practice Workbook
You can download and practice the dataset we used to prepare this article.
Scatter Plot and its Key Features
In simple terms, a scatter plot is a graphical representation of data that uses dots to represent the values of two or more variables. Additionally, scatter plots can also be created with three variables by adding a third dimension to the graph, represented by the data points’ size or color, this is known as a 3-axis scatter plot. The key features of a scatter plot include:
- X and Y axes represent two variables.
- Points (dots) on the graph represent the variables’ relationship.
- Ability to visualize the distribution and relationship of the data.
- Can be used to identify trends, patterns, and outliers in the data.
6 Steps to Create 3 Axis Scatter Plot in Excel
Now, let’s consider the Magnitude of Displacement, Velocity & Acceleration with Respect to Time dataset shown in the B4:E10 cells which contain the Time(s), Displacement(m), Velocity(m/s), and Acceleration (m/s^2) respectively. Henceforth, without further delay, let’s see each step in action.
📌 Step 1: Insert Scatter Plot
- First, select the full data table including the column headings.
- Next, click on Insert from the ribbon. And select the Scatter with straight lines and markers option.
- Now, this inserts a default-style of scatter plot on your worksheet.
Read More: How to Make a Scatter Plot in Excel with Multiple Data Sets
📌 Step 2: Duplicate Scatter Chart
- Second, select the recently created chart and press CTRL+D on your keyboard to make a duplicate.
Read More: How to Create a Scatter Chart in Excel (with Easy Steps)
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- How to Create Excel Scatter Plot Color by Group (3 Suitable Ways)
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📌 Step 3: Delete Unnecessary Curves and Create Secondary Axis
- Third, delete the plot for Acceleration from the original chart.
- Next, remove the Displacement and Velocity plots from the duplicate chart.
- Then, double-click on the Velocity curve, and from Series Options select Secondary Axis.
- Afterward, the Velocity curve will be redrawn against the secondary axis.
Read More: How to Make a Scatter Plot in Excel with Two Sets of Data (in Easy Steps)
📌 Step 4: Format Orginal Chart
- Fourth, click on the chart area and select Chart Elements.
- At this point, check the Axis, Axis Titles, and Chart Title boxes. And uncheck the Gridlines and Legend boxes.
- In turn, rename the axes titles (Time, Displacement, and Velocity) and the chart title, in this case, Time V/S (Displacement, Velocity & Acceleration).
- Following this, choose colors for the axis values and axis titles to make them easily distinguishable.
- Also, you can color the texts of the chart title with the corresponding colors by following the steps shown in the GIF below.
- After finishing the coloring process, you should get a similar output to the image below.
- Lastly, double-click on the chart area to open Format Chart Area. From the Chart Option under Border, enable the No line radio button.
Read More: How to Create a Scatter Plot in Excel with 3 Variables (with Easy Steps)
Similar Readings
- How to Add Average Line to Scatter Plot in Excel (3 Ways)
- Connect Dots in Scatter Plot in Excel (with Easy Steps)
- How to Add Multiple Series Labels in Scatter Plot in Excel
- Make a Correlation Scatter Plot in Excel (2 Quick Methods)
- How to Combine Two Scatter Plots in Excel (Step by Step Analysis)
📌 Step 5: Adjust Formatting of Duplicate Chart
- Fifth, click on the chart area and select Chart Elements.
- Now, check the Axis, and Axis Titles boxes. And uncheck the Gridlines, Legend, and Chart Title boxes.
- Later, delete the horizontal axis title (to avoid overlapping) and rename the vertical axis.
- Next, double-click on the horizontal axis values to open Format Chart Area. Select the values of the horizontal axis.
- Then, under the Axis Options, set the Minimum Bound to -2.0.
- After that, under Vertical axis crosses, set the Axis value to -2.0.
- Eventually, a distance will be created between the curve and the vertical axis, which will eventually aid the overlapping process.
- Afterward, remove the horizontal axis values to avoid duplication and double-click on the chart area to open Format Chart Area.
- Under the Fill, select No fill. And under the Border, select No line.
- Finally, as shown before, change the text colors of the curve, axis values, and axis title to give them a similar look.
Read More: How to Add Horizontal Line in Excel Scatter Plot (2 Quick Methods)
📌 Step 6: Overlap Two Charts and Join them
- Consequently, click on the duplicate chart and drag it over the original one.
- Adjust the two charts accordingly in order to make them look like a single 3-axis scatter plot.
- After the adjustment, select the two charts one after another, by pressing CTRL on the keyboard.
- Click on the Shape Format tab and select Group.
- Now, you can move the charts together as a single element if necessary.
- Ta-dah! Your 3-axis scatter plot is now complete.
Read More: How to Create a Scatter Plot with 4 variables in Excel (with Quick Steps)
Practice Section
We have provided a Practice section on the last worksheet of the provided workbook so you can practice yourself. Please make sure to do it by yourself.
Conclusion
To sum up, you understand the method of drawing a 3-axis scatter plot in Excel following the above-mentioned steps. Now, follow these steps whenever you need a 3-axis scatter plot, and let us know if you have any better or additional way to carry out the task. Moreover, you can reach us via the comment section below for any queries.
