How to Make an x y Graph in Google Sheets: Easy Steps to Follow

Data is precious in today’s world, especially in understanding performance, customers, and markets.

But, let’s face it. Crunching numbers is not an exciting and engaging activity.

And this means it’s crucial to explore ways to present raw data in compelling and understandable ways.

This is where x y Graphs come in.

Google Sheets has an x y Chart template you can use to visualize your data for insights. However, this chart is pretty basic and requires a lot of time and work in customization. Besides, creating this chart (Scatter Plot) is not as straightforward as it seems.

How to make an x y graph in Google Sheets does not have to be complex?

It turns out you can supercharge your Google Sheets with add-ons to access ready-made, insightful, and easy-to-read x y charts (also known as Scatter Plot).

This blog will walk you through steps to follow when integrating your Google Sheets with third-party add-ons to access more charts. You’ll also discover more using our easy-to-follow x y Graph examples using Google Sheets.

You don’t want to skip the body of the blog if your goal is to take your spreadsheet game to the next level.

How to Make an x y Graph in Google Sheets: Data Visualization Strategies?

Before we dive into the how-to guide, let’s define the x y Graph.

What is x y Graph?

Sometimes, there’re relationships between critical metrics in your data. And understanding these relationships can help you uncover actionable insights.

For instance, if you’re a human resource professional, the relationship between training hours and employee productivity is one of the issues you keep track of closely.

The relationship between the number of people working in a shift and the average answer time is a significant point of interest for many call center managers.

An x y Graph (Scatter plot) is a visualization type you can use if your goal is to extract relationship insights in your data. This easy-to-read chart uncovers relationships you cannot see using tables and visualization designs, such as Bar Chart.

This chart uses dots to represent crucial data points. The position of each dot on the horizontal and vertical axis indicates values for data points.

Use this chart to visualize the relationship between two variables in your data.

Seasoned visualization experts use Scatter Plots mainly to test hypotheses. And this occurs during the initial stages of data visualization. If you want to extract micro insights in your bulky data, give this chart a try.

Take a look at the x y Graph example below.

How to make an x y Graph in Google Sheets does not have to be time-intensive. Keep reading to learn more.

When to Use an X Y Graph?

Remember, there’s a ton of charts and graphs you can use to visualize your data for insights. However, choosing the best depends on a broader range of factors, such as your goal and context.

Check out below to learn the best scenarios to apply Scatter Plots.

• Use an x y Graph to investigate relationships between key variables in your data.

Plotting this chart helps you determine whether there’s a potential relationship between critical metrics in your data. In fact, Scatter Plots’ primary uses are to observe and show relationships between two numeric variables.

The dots in a Scatter Plot reports the trend and patterns of the data as well.

• Scatter Plot Charts also come in handy when you want to visualize causal-effect relationships in your business data.

No problem comes out of the blue.

There has to be a causal factor. For instance, customer complaints in a restaurant arise primarily to issues, such as hygiene and customer service.

An x y Graph is strategically positioned to extract causal-effect insights. You can easily identify how a variable contributes directly to a money-draining problem, such as customer returns.

• An x y Graph is also suited in situations where the independent variable has multiple values.

You can use this chart to explore hidden relationships between dependent and independent variables in your data.

• Use a Scatter Plot when you have two variables that pair well together

Use an x y Chart to visualize the relationship of data points that pair well naturally, such as sales revenue and profits. In this scenario, you’ll be looking for the nature of the relationship, which can be positive or negative.

How to make an x y Graph in Google Sheets does not have to be complex and stressful. Find out more.

What are the Pros of using x y Graph?

Use an x y Graph to enjoy a ton of insight-centered benefits. Check them out below:

• The x y Graphs are incredibly crucial, especially if your goal is to uncover a correlation between data points in your data.
• This chart is widely considered as the go-to method in displaying the nonlinear relationship in data.
• A Scatter Plot is incredibly easy to read and interpret, even for non-technical audiences.
• You can use an x y Graph to show the relationship between two different variables in your data.
• The range of flow of data in the x y Graph is readily visible. Besides, you can easily spot the maximum and minimum points.

Let’s agree on this. Use an x y Graph example only when you want to visualize correlational relationships in your data. Your data should have at least 2 variables with causal effect relationships. These relationships between variables can be:

• Positive or negative
• Strong or weak
• Linear or nonlinear

As we said, how to make an x y Graph in Google Sheets does not have to be a stressful affair. We got you covered with tips gathered from data visualization experts.

Keep reading because you don’t want to miss this.

How to Make an x y Graph in Google Sheets?

How to make an x y Graph in Google Sheets is not as straightforward as it sounds. This spreadsheet application has a Scatter Plot that’s pretty basic.

Essentially, the chart produced requires a lot of time and work in terms of customizations. Some of the controls for customizing Scatter Plots are buried too deep for you to easily access.

And this means you can spend a lot of time visualizing your data with the x y Graph in Google Sheets.

So What’s the Solution?

The solution is not to ditch your beloved Google Sheets. You have the option of supercharging it with a third-party add-on.

There’re over 2,000 add-ons available for Google Sheets. We’ve tested about 50 of them, which are primarily for data visualization.

The best add-on we recommend to you is ChartExpo.

Our recommendation is based on the following factors:

• Ease of use
• Cost of access
• Quality of charts produced
• Effect on your browser

ChartExpo scores excellently in all the areas (in our checklist). Unlike other data visualization-based add-ons, ChartExpo does not require coding or programming skills.

Yes, you read that right.

It has a super-friendly user interface for everyone to use irrespective of their computer skills. Secondly, it has 50+ advanced charts you’ll never find in your Google Sheets.

ChartExpo is has a free trial. Besides, it produces charts that are incredibly easy to read and understand. Another thing we’ve noted with this tool is that it does not slow your browser down.

How to make an x y Graph in Google Sheets does not have to consume much of your time. Keep reading to discover more with the x y Graph example (in the next section).

How to Get Started with ChartExpo Add-on for Google Sheets?

Let’s use a Scatter Plot in ChartExpo to visualize the tabular data below.

States	Products	Sales	Profit %	Number of orders
Florida	Adidas	5320	31	423
Florida	Under Armor	6359	17	522
Florida	Skechers	4465	24	981
Florida	ASICS Corporation	2825	17	624
Florida	Saucony	7796	23	993
Florida	Avia	3848	28	752
Florida	British Knights	5820	23	981
Florida	Brooks Sports	1109	16	973
Virginia	Adidas	4309	38	662
Virginia	Under Armor	3149	29	561
Virginia	Sketchers	4194	11	436
Virginia	ASICS Corporation	3919	21	951
Virginia	Saucony	1282	24	990
Virginia	Avia	3246	14	302
Virginia	British Knights	1791	38	656
Virginia	Brooks Sports	3087	23	467
Texas	Adidas	4923	37	540
Texas	Under Armor	4644	15	986
Texas	Sketchers	1652	9	469
Texas	ASICS Corporation	6343	31	522
Texas	Saucony	3163	36	692
Texas	Avia	1136	37	990
Texas	British Knights	6615	12	822
Texas	Brooks Sports	2669	26	655

• To get started with the x y Graph examples, copy the table above into your Google Sheets.
• To get started with ChartExpo, head to the Add-on button>ChartExpo – Best Data Visualization Tool button>Open.

• Click the Create New Chart button to access your fully stocked library of charts.

• Click the Search Box and type Scatter Plot. It should pop up together with other charts, as shown.
• Select the sheet holding your data and select the Metrics option. Fill in the numerical numbers (in our scenario, we’ll fill in sales, profits, and number of orders count)
• Select the Dimensions button and fill on the dimensional data (in our example, we’ll use cities and products)

• How to make an x y Graph in Google Sheets does not have to be complex. ChartExpo makes the whole process seamless and easy.
• Finish the simple process by clicking the Create Chart button to visualize your data with scatter plot.
• If you follow the instructions (above), your x y Graph example should look like this (below).

How to Make an x y Graph in Google Sheets: Custom Editing?

How to Remove Labels of Each Dot?

Labels in each dot make the Scatter Plot look cluttered. To do away with these labels, follow the simple steps below:

• Click the edit button.

• Click the pencil-like icon next to the dots.

• Once the Datapoint Properties interface shows, click the Datapoint label.
• You’ll see a switch that’s ON by default. To switch it OFF, toggle to the left.

• Complete the task by clicking the Apply All button.

How to add Prefix and Postfix?

To add prefixes and postfixes, such as percentage and currency symbols, follow the simple steps below:

• Click the pencil-like icon next to the x-axis.

• Once the Axis Bottom Properties interface pops, click the Prefix box. Add the $ sign.
• Click the Apply All button.

• To add a postfix, click the pencil-like icon next to the y-axis.

• Once the Axis Left Properties interface pops, click the Label Text button.
• Click the Postfix box and fill in your % symbol.

How to Add Legends?

• To add a legend in the x y Graph, click the pencil-like icon, as shown above.

• Once the Legend Properties window shows, click the Show button.
• To save the changes, click the Apply button.

How to Add a Title?

As we said, how to make an x y Graph in Google Sheets should not stress you or even consume a ton of your valuable time. To add a title in your chart, follow the simple steps below.

• Click the pencil-like icon near the title placeholder.

• Once the Property window pops up, fill in the title- Shoe Sales Report in Line 1 text box.
• Then, click the Show button and toggle the switch to the right-hand side (i.e. on position).
• To change the font of the title, click the Font Styles button. You’ll see multiple options, such as italics, bold, color, and size.

• Select the font size by clicking the box with the number 8. And then, select your chosen size.
• To save the changes, click the Apply button.
• Remember to click the Save button to preserve your customizations in the x y Graph example.

• After all editing, the resulting Scatter Plot should look like this (below).

How to Add a Trend Line?

Like we said, how to make an x y Graph in Google Sheets should not be a time-consuming affair.

• To add a trend line in Scatter Plot, click the Chart Settings button on the top right side of the ChartExpo.

• Once the Chart Setting window shows: click the Trend Lines button and toggle the button to the right side.
• To add Polynomial lines, click the Polynomial Line drop-down and select the suitable degree for your chart.

• Click the Apply button to save changes.
• The final chart (with trend lines) should look like this (below).

FAQs:

What is an x y Graph?

Use an x y Graph (also known as Scatter Plot) to visualize relationships between key metrics in your data.

This chart uses dots to represent values for two different numeric variables. The position of each dot on the horizontal and vertical axis indicates values for an individual data point.

How can you make an x y Graph in Google Sheets?

Google Sheets has an inbuilt x y Graph that’s pretty basic and requires a lot of work in customizations and editing.

To overcome the problem (above), supercharge your Google Sheets with add-ons, such as ChartExpo, to access insightful and easy-to-interpret Scatter Plot Charts.

Wrap Up:

How to make an x y Graph in Google Sheets does not have to be time-consuming.

We’ve just covered this (above) in great detail. So if you’ve just landed here, we suggest you take your sweet time to read valuable tips about how to make an x y Graph in Google Sheets faster and easier.

The Scatter Plot is one of the charts that are easy to read and understand.

What’s the best tool to use to visualize data using an x y Graph example?

Google Sheets is one of the most-used tools for visualizing data. Besides, it comes loaded with a Scatter Plot, which is very basic.

So what’s the solution?

We recommend our readers to use the ChartExpo because it’s one of the most trusted add-ons. And, it has over 15,000+ users scattered across the world. Besides, it has a super-friendly user interface for everyone to use irrespective of their computer skills level.

Create simple and easy-to-interpret Scatter Plot charts today without breaking a sweat or wasting your time.