How to Create Dynamic Scatter Plot in Excel (3 Easy Methods)

The scatter plot is used to plot a diagram of two or multiple variables using Cartesian coordinates. It shows the relation between the variables through a visible graph. Not to mention, the variables can be in sets. Dynamic scatter plot means the change of any variable value in the dataset will create a change in the scatter plot. In this tutorial, I will show simple steps to create a dynamic scatter plot in Excel.

The above GIF is an overview of the dynamic scatter plot. It shows how the scatter plot functions after filtering by Business Unit.

How to Create Dynamic Scatter Plots in Excel: 3 Easy Methods

I have a dataset containing information about the salary statements of employees. This dataset has attributes such as Full Name, Business Unit, Years of Experience, and Annual Salary. Using this information I will create a dynamic scatter plot of Years of Experience and Annual Salary. Here, I used Microsoft Excel 365. You can use any available Excel version.

1. Employing Pivot Table to Create Dynamic Scatter Plot

You can use Pivot Table to create a dynamic scatter plot that can also be functional with filters. Follow the below steps:

Step-1: Creation of Table from Dataset

In the beginning, we will convert the dataset into a Table.

At first, select any cell from the dataset.
Here, I selected cell E14 randomly.
Then, select Table from the Insert tab.

After that, a dialog box of Create Table will appear.
At this point, click OK.

Therefore, the table is now created.

Step-2: Inserting PivotTable to Create Dynamic Scatter Plot

Next, I will create a PivotTable from the table.

Similar to the previous step, select any cell from the dataset. Again, I selected cell E14 randomly.
Then, select PivotTable from the Insert.

At this point, a PivotTable from table or range dialog box will appear.
Now, select Existing Worksheet.
After that, set the location to any blank cell. Here, I selected cell G4.
Finally, click OK.

At this moment, a side window of PivotTable Fields appeared to fill up the necessary information about the Pivot Table.
Now, drag the fields from the top section to the areas at the bottom section as following.
Drag Full Name in the Rows area, Business Unit in the Filters area, and both Years of Experience and Annual Salary to the Values area.

With that, the PivotTable is created.

Step-3: Creating Dynamic Scatter Plot

In this step, I will create a dynamic Scatter plot using the Pivot Table information.

In the first place, randomly select a cell.
Here, I selected cell K10.
After that, go to the Insert tab >> select the Insert Scatter or Bubble Chart group.
Furthermore, select Scatter Chart.

At this point, a blank Scatter chart or plot space will appear.

After that, click on the plot box >> go to the Chart Design tab.
Then, from the Data group >> choose Select Data.

Immediately, a Select Data Source dialog box will appear.
Then, to fill up the Select Data Source dialog box click on Add.

Right after, an Edit Series dialog box will appear.
After that, under the Series name option, select cell H4.
Afterward, inside the Series X values, select values from the Sum of Years of Experience.
Then, select values from the Sum of Annual Salary, inside the Series Y values.
In addition, click OK.

Then, click OK in the Select Data Source dialog box.

Therefore, the blank scatter plot is visible with dots, which are the data we inserted.

Furthermore, edit the title by clicking on it and typing Years of Experience vs. Annual Salary.
Finally, the dynamic scatter plot is created.

Step-4: Employing of Filter and Clearing off Grand Totals, Subtotals

In this step, we will create a filter for the Business Unit to view the individual impact of the business units.

First of all, right-click on the Business Unit from the side window of PivotTable Fields.
Then, select Add as Slicer.

At this point, a Business Unit slicer will appear.

You may need to clear off the grand totals and subtotals from your dynamic scatter plot if you do not want them in your dynamic scatter plot. To do so, follow the below steps,

Select any of the cells from the Pivot Table.
Here, I selected cell H7.
After that, go to the Design tab >> from the Layout group >> select Grand Total.
Then, select Off for Rows and Columns.

Also, go to the Subtotals >> select Do Not Show Subtotals.

Therefore, you can see the Dynamic Scatter Plot.

The following GIF shows how the dynamic scatter plot works with Business Unit filtering.

2. Using Table to Create Dynamic Scatter Plot

You can simply use a table to create the dynamic scatter plot. Follow the below steps.

Steps:

Like previously, create a table from the sample dataset or press CTRL+T after selecting a random cell from the table.
Then, select cells D5:E14 from the columns Years of Experience and Annual Salary.
After that, go to the Insert tab >> select the Insert Scatter or Bubble Chart group >> choose the Scatter graph.

Therefore, the dynamic scatter plot will appear.
Moreover, edit the title of the dynamic scatter plot to Years of Experience vs. Annual Salary.

3. Implementing Named Range to Create Dynamic Scatter Plot

In this method, I will use the Name Range to create dynamic scatter plot.

Steps:

First, to make the range of this scatter plot dynamic, I will provide a name for the range.
To do so, go to the Formulas tab >> click on Define Name.

Immediately, the New Name dialog box will pop up.
Afterward, fill up the Name with the preferred range name.
Then, select the worksheet from Scope.
Finally, type the following formula in Refers to box to set the range:

=OFFSET(NamedRange!$D$5,0,0,COUNTA(NamedRange!$D:$D)-1,1)

Formula Breakdown

COUNTA(NamedRange!$D:$D)-1 → The COUNTA function will count all the data from column D. This will only count non-empty cells and -1 is to indicate we have column headers in our dataset.
- Output → 10.
OFFSET(NamedRange!$D$5,0,0,COUNTA(NamedRange!$D:$D)-1,1) → becomes
- OFFSET(NamedRange!$D$5,0,0,10,1) → The OFFSET function will extract all the data from the Years of Experience column starting from cell D5.
  - Output → D5:D14.

Click OK.
Again, click on the defined name to create another named range.
And fill up the New Name like the below image and type the following formula in the Refers to box:

=OFFSET(NamedRange!$E$5,0,0,COUNTA(NamedRange!$E:$E)-1,1)

Note: Here, column E is selected in this formula. Also, the NamedRange is the name of the worksheet name.

Now, randomly select a cell.
Here, I selected cell G4.
After that, go to the Insert tab >> select the Insert Scatter or Bubble Chart group.
Furthermore, select Scatter chart.

At this point, a blank Scatter chart or plot space will appear.

After that, click on the plot box >> go to the Chart Design tab.
Then, from the Data group >> choose Select Data.

Immediately, a Select Data Source dialog box will appear.
Then, to fill up the Select Data Source dialog box click on Add.

Right after, an Edit Series dialog box will appear.
After that, under the Series name option, type Years of Experience vs. Annual Salary.
Afterward, inside the Series X values, to select the Years of Experience data range, type:

=NamedRange!Experience_Range

Then, inside the Series Y values, to select the Years of Experience data range, type:

=NamedRange!Salary_Range

In addition, click OK.

Again, the Select Data Source dialog box will show up.
Click OK.

Now, the dynamic scatter plot in Excel is created.

Practice Section

On the Practice Section worksheet, you will find a dataset to practice on your own.

Download Practice Workbook

You can download the practice workbook here.

Dynamic Scatter Plot.xlsx

Conclusion

In this article, you learned how to create a dynamic scatter plot in Excel. Follow our ExcelDemy page for regular blogs related to Excel. You can suggest your thoughts about this article in the comment section below.

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