How to Create 4 Quadrant Bubble Chart in Excel (With Easy Steps)

A quadrant Bubble Chart can be defined as a chart that is divided into four equal sections. 4 Quadrant Bubble Chart is necessary to plot data that contains three variables using the x-axis, y-axis, and bubble size. This article will mainly focus on creating a 4 quadrant Bubble Chart in Excel and then customizing it with several options. I hope you find this article informative and gain lots of knowledge regarding the 4 quadrant Bubble Chart.

Create 4 Quadrant Bubble Chart in Excel: Step-by-Step Procedure

To create a 4 quadrant bubble chart in Excel, we have found a step-by-step procedure through which you can have profound knowledge about 4 quadrant bubble charts. Here, we set a dataset through which we can create the bubble chart. After that, we customize the bubble chart into a 4 quadrant bubble chart. To create the 4 quadrant bubble chart in Excel, you need to follow the steps carefully.

Step 1: Prepare Dataset

Our first step is to prepare a dataset for creating a bubble chart. In this step, we take a dataset that includes job title and their corresponding salary and compa ratio. As we want to create a bubble chart, we have to include bubble size.

At first, doing some market research set some job title and their corresponding salary. For our bubble chart, we may use salary as X-axis.
Then, we find out the compa ratio of that salary paid by the company. Compa Ratio is the short form of compensation ratio. This ratio demonstrates the salary of the employee compared to the market salary. Compa ratio allows the employees to know about their position. It denotes whether employees get competitive salaries or below the average market salary. In our bubble chart, we may use the compa ratio as Y-axis.
Finally, we set some bubble sizes for the corresponding job.
There we have our final dataset through which we can create a bubble chart.

Read More: Excel Bubble Chart Examples

Step 2: Create Bubble Chart

In our next step, we want to create a bubble chart using that dataset. To create a bubble chart, we must have X-axis, Y-axis, and bubble size. So, if you have all of these in your dataset, then you are good enough to create a bubble chart.

At first, select the range of cells B4 to E12.

Then, go to the Insert tab in the ribbon,
From the Charts group, select Insert Scatter or Bubble Chart option.

Then, you’ll get two different bubble chart options.
Select any of them. We prefer the 2nd one.

It will give us the following bubble chart which is the required one.

To get the required one, right-click on the bubble chart
Then, a Context Menu will occur.
From there, select the Select Data option.

It will open up the Select Data Source dialog box.
Then, in the Legend Entries (Series), remove all the series one after another by clicking the Remove option.

It will make the Legend Entries(Series) section blank.
Then, click on Add to create new series.

After that, the Edit Series dialog box will appear.
In the Series X values section, select the Salary column range of cells C5 to C12.
Then, In the Series Y values section, select the Compa Ratio column range of cells D5 to D12.
After that, In the Series bubble size section, select the Bubble Size column range of cells E5 to E12.
Finally, click on OK.

Then, in the Select Data Source dialog box, click on OK to apply this series.

It will give us the following result in the bubble chart. See the screenshot.

Then, if you want to edit the Chart Style, click on the Brush icon on the right side of the chart.
After that, select any type of chart style.

Finally, we get the following bubble chart, See screenshot.
This is not the required bubble chart. To get the desired output, we need to do some further customization.

Step 3: Convert Bubble Chart to 4 Quadrant Bubble Chart

Our next step is to convert the bubble chart to the 4 quadrant chart. Basically, we want to adjust the axis to create a better view of the bubble chart and then create 4 quadrants with equal spacing.

At first, double-click on the X-axis to open the Format Axis dialog box.
Then, in the Axis Options section, set the minimum and maximum value by studying your dataset.

It will change the X-axis to a new highest and lowest value.
You’ll get the following result. See the screenshot.

Then, double-click on the Y-axis to open the Format Axis dialog box.
Then, in the Axis Options section, set the minimum and maximum value by studying your dataset.

Finally, we get the following result with a better view. See the screenshot.

Then, we want to add the data level to the bubbles.
To do this, right-click on any of the bubbles.
It will open up a Context Menu dialog box.
From there, select Add Data Labels.

As a result, it will show the compa ratio value in each bubble.

But that’s not what we want. We want to show the specific job title for the corresponding salary and compa ratio.
Then, again right-click on any of the bubbles.
From the Context Menu, select Format Data Labels.

Then, in the Label Options section, check on the Value From Cells option.

After that, the Data Label Range dialog box will occur.
Then, select the range of cells B5 to B12.
Finally, click on OK.

After that, uncheck the Y Value from Label Options.
It will remove the compa ratio from the bubbles.

After that, In the Label Position section, set the label position as Center. That means the label will appear at the center of the bubble.

It will give us the following result with data labels. See the screenshot.

To make a 4 quadrant bubble chart, we need to add X-axis and Y-axis.
As it is a bubble chart, there is not any possible solution to make X-axis and Y-axis.
For that reason, we can study our bubble chart and find the middle value of the X-axis and Y-axis.
Here, the average salary is $1900 and the average compa ratio is 90%.
At first, go to the Insert tab in the ribbon,
Then, select the Illustrations drop-down option.

From there, select the Shapes drop-down option.
After that, select a line.

Then, the mouse cursor will convert into a plus.
Draw two lines from the middle values of the X-axis and Y-axis.

As a result, you’ll get the following result. See the screenshot.

Then, if you want to change the Shape Style, you need to select the line you created.
When you select the line, it will open up Shape Format in the ribbon.
Then, go to the Shape Format in the ribbon.
After that, select the small arrow from the Shape Style group.

It will show several Theme Styles.
Select any of them.

Finally, we will get our desired 4 quadrant bubble chart in Excel. See the screenshot.

Interpretation of 4 Quadrant Bubble Chart

The 4 quadrant bubble chart can be defined as a chart where the coordinate plane is divided into four equal sections. These sections are created by the intersection of the X-axis and Y-axis. One section can be defined as one-quarter of the whole coordinate plane.

The first section appears when a certain job or job holder has a higher salary and compa ratio. That denotes the most favorable condition for any employee. He/She doesn’t need to think about anything outside because a higher compa ration means he/she gets a higher salary or equal salary than market value. In our dataset, Security and Finance appear in this section.

In the next section, we have a case where the compa ratio is high but the salary is low. It can appear in such cases when the job’s overall salary structure is poor compared to other jobs. But having a higher compa ratio means employees can’t make any objection. For such kinds of employees, the company can provide some bonuses to make them motivated.

In the third section, we have a condition when the salary is high but the compa ratio is low. That means the salary is high but when it compares with the same job for other company, it lags behind to some extent. It can create a negative impact on any employee because he/she thinks that they can make even more in another company. To keep them motivated, the company can provide bonuses.

In our last section, we find a condition when both salary and compa ratio is low. This is the most unfavorable condition. In that case, employees can have the motivation to work for the company. The company has to think about this type of condition. Otherwise, they will lose employees eventually.

Things to Remember

One of the biggest drawbacks of making a 4 quadrant bubble chart in Excel is that we can’t create X-axis and Y-axis rather than draw it using a line shape.
To create a bubble chart, bubble size is a must. Otherwise, you don’t get a proper bubble chart.

Download Practice Workbook

4 Quadrant Bubble Chart.xlsx

Conclusion

To create a 4 quadrant bubble chart in Excel, we have shown step-by-step procedures to have a clear view of this. The 4 quadrant Bubble Chart basically implies four different and equal sections. From there, we can get four different solutions. Finally, it produces a possible way to get back into the best possible segment. I hope you enjoy this article thoroughly and get all the possible question answers regarding the 4 quadrant Bubble Chart. If you have any questions, feel free to ask in the comment box. Goodbye!

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