Scatter plots in Power BI - Cell-by-Cell Formula Trace

Sample Data

Sales and Profit data for four products

Cell	Value
A1	Product
B1	Sales
C1	Profit
A2	Alpha
B2	1000
C2	200
A3	Beta
B3	1500
C3	300
A4	Gamma
B4	1200
C4	250
A5	Delta
B5	1800
C5	400

Formula Trace

Scatter plot with X axis = Sales, Y axis = Profit, Details = Product

Step 1: Select Sales values for X axis: {1000, 1500, 1200, 1800}

Step 2: Select Profit values for Y axis: {200, 300, 250, 400}

Step 3: Assign Product names as details for each point: {Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta}

Step 4: Plot points: (1000,200) Alpha, (1500,300) Beta, (1200,250) Gamma, (1800,400) Delta

Cell Reference Map

     A        B        C  
1 Product  Sales   Profit 
2 Alpha    1000    200   
3 Beta     1500    300   
4 Gamma    1200    250   
5 Delta    1800    400   

References: B2:B5 for X axis, C2:C5 for Y axis, A2:A5 for details

Sales values in column B and Profit values in column C are referenced for the scatter plot axes. Product names in column A label each point.

Result

Scatter Plot:

Y Axis (Profit)
|
|        * Delta (1800,400)
|           
|       * Beta (1500,300)
|          * Gamma (1200,250)
|    * Alpha (1000,200)
|____________________________
         X Axis (Sales)

The scatter plot shows four points representing products. The horizontal axis is Sales, the vertical axis is Profit. Each point is labeled by product name.

Sheet Trace Quiz - 3 Questions

Which column is used for the X axis in the scatter plot?

A Product

B Profit

C Sales

D None

Key Result

Scatter plots map one numeric column to X axis, another numeric column to Y axis, and use a categorical column for point labels.

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