Scatter plots in Power BI - Step-by-Step Guide

Introduction

Scatter plots show how two sets of numbers relate to each other. They help you see patterns or trends between two variables in your data.

When you want to see if higher sales relate to higher advertising spend.

When you need to check if customer age affects purchase amount.

When you want to spot clusters or groups in your data points.

When you want to find outliers that do not fit the usual pattern.

When you want to compare two measures across different categories.

Steps

Step 1: Click

- Report view, Visualizations pane

The visualizations list opens showing chart types

Step 2: Select

- Scatter chart icon in Visualizations pane

A blank scatter plot appears on the report canvas

Step 3: Drag

- Numeric field for X axis from Fields pane to X Axis well in Visualizations pane

The scatter plot shows data points positioned horizontally by this field

Step 4: Drag

- Numeric field for Y axis from Fields pane to Y Axis well in Visualizations pane

The scatter plot updates to position data points vertically by this field

Step 5: Drag

- Category field from Fields pane to Details well in Visualizations pane

Data points are grouped or colored by category

Step 6: Drag

- Numeric field to Size well in Visualizations pane (optional)

Data points vary in size based on this field

Step 7: Click

- Format pane

Options to customize colors, labels, and axes appear

Before vs After

Before

Report canvas is empty with no visuals

After

Scatter plot shows data points positioned by chosen X and Y numeric fields, grouped by category

Settings Reference

X Axis

📍 Visualizations pane, X Axis well

Sets the horizontal position of data points

Default: None

Y Axis

📍 Visualizations pane, Y Axis well

Sets the vertical position of data points

Default: None

Details

📍 Visualizations pane, Details well

Groups or colors data points by category

Default: None

Size

📍 Visualizations pane, Size well

Changes data point size based on values

Default: None

Data colors

📍 Format pane, Data colors section

Changes the colors of data points

Default: Default colors

Common Mistakes

Using non-numeric fields for X or Y axis

Scatter plots require numbers to position points on axes

Always drag numeric fields to X and Y axis wells

Not adding a category field to Details

Without categories, all points look the same and patterns may be unclear

Add a category field to Details to color or group points

Adding too many data points without filters

The plot becomes cluttered and hard to read

Use filters or slicers to limit data shown

Summary

Scatter plots show relationships between two numeric variables.

You must assign numeric fields to X and Y axes and optionally categories to Details.

Avoid using non-numeric fields on axes and keep data points manageable for clarity.

Practice

1. What is the main purpose of a scatter plot in Power BI?

easy

A. To show the relationship between two numeric variables

B. To display data in a pie chart format

C. To list data in rows and columns

D. To create a map visualization

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand scatter plot basics

   A scatter plot uses two numeric axes to show how two variables relate to each other.

2. Step 2: Compare with other chart types

   Pie charts show parts of a whole, tables list data, and maps show locations, not relationships between numbers.

3. Final Answer:

   To show the relationship between two numeric variables -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Scatter plot = relationship between numbers [OK]

Hint: Scatter plots always compare two numeric values [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing scatter plots with pie charts
• Thinking scatter plots show categories only
• Using scatter plots for non-numeric data

2. Which of the following is the correct way to assign data fields in a Power BI scatter plot?

easy

A. Assign date data to Size and text data to X Axis

B. Assign text data to X Axis and Y Axis, numeric data to Legend

C. Assign numeric data to Legend only

D. Assign numeric data to X Axis and Y Axis, optional Legend for categories

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify correct field types for axes

   Scatter plots require numeric data on X and Y axes to plot points in 2D space.

2. Step 2: Understand optional fields

   Legend can be used for categories (text), and Size can represent numeric values for point size.

3. Final Answer:

   Assign numeric data to X Axis and Y Axis, optional Legend for categories -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Numeric on axes + Legend for categories [OK]

Hint: X and Y axes must be numeric for scatter plots [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Putting text data on X or Y axes
• Using Legend for numeric axes
• Assigning date data incorrectly

3. Given a scatter plot with Sales on X Axis and Profit on Y Axis, what pattern would you expect if higher sales generally lead to higher profit?

medium

A. Points are randomly scattered with no pattern

B. Points form a horizontal line

C. Points trend upward from left to right

D. Points trend downward from left to right

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand relationship between Sales and Profit

   If higher sales lead to higher profit, as sales increase (X axis), profit (Y axis) should also increase.

2. Step 2: Visualize the scatter plot pattern

   This creates an upward trend from left (low sales) to right (high sales).

3. Final Answer:

   Points trend upward from left to right -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Positive correlation = upward trend [OK]

Hint: Positive correlation means points go up left to right [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing upward and downward trends
• Expecting horizontal line for correlation
• Ignoring relationship direction

4. You created a scatter plot but all points appear in a single vertical line. What is the most likely cause?

medium

A. X Axis has the same value for all data points

B. Y Axis has the same value for all data points

C. Legend field is missing

D. Size field is assigned text data

Solution

1. Step 1: Analyze vertical line pattern

   A vertical line means all points share the same X coordinate but vary in Y.

2. Step 2: Identify cause in data assignment

   If X Axis data is constant for all points, they align vertically.

3. Final Answer:

   X Axis has the same value for all data points -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Same X value = vertical line [OK]

Hint: Same X values cause vertical line in scatter plot [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking missing Legend causes vertical line
• Confusing vertical with horizontal line causes
• Assigning text to Size field causing this

5. You want to highlight different product categories in a scatter plot showing Sales (X Axis) vs Profit (Y Axis). Which field should you add to best achieve this?

hard

A. Add Product Category to X Axis

B. Add Product Category to Legend

C. Add Product Category to Size

D. Add Product Category to Y Axis

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand how to differentiate categories visually

   Legend assigns colors or markers to categories, making groups visible in scatter plots.

2. Step 2: Evaluate other field assignments

   Adding categories to Size or axes is incorrect because axes require numeric data, and Size is numeric for point size.

3. Final Answer:

   Add Product Category to Legend -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Legend = category colors in scatter plot [OK]

Hint: Use Legend for categories to color points [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Putting categories on numeric axes
• Using Size for categories instead of numeric values
• Not using Legend to differentiate groups