Scatter plots in Tableau - Step-by-Step Guide

Introduction

Scatter plots help you see the relationship between two numbers by showing dots on a chart. Each dot represents one record, making it easy to spot patterns or groups in your data.

When you want to compare sales and profit for each product to see if higher sales mean higher profit.

When you need to find out if there is a connection between advertising spend and customer visits.

When you want to spot clusters of customers based on age and income.

When you want to identify outliers, like a product with very high sales but low profit.

When you want to explore how two measures change together over time or categories.

Steps

Step 1: Open your Tableau workbook

- Tableau Desktop start screen or existing workbook

Your data source and worksheet are ready for use

Step 2: Drag the first measure (e.g., Sales) to Columns

- Data pane → Measures → drag to Columns shelf

The horizontal axis shows the values of the first measure

Step 3: Drag the second measure (e.g., Profit) to Rows

- Data pane → Measures → drag to Rows shelf

The vertical axis shows the values of the second measure

Step 4: Drag a dimension (e.g., Product Category) to Detail on the Marks card

- Marks card → Detail

Each dot represents a record, showing its Sales and Profit

Step 5: Change the Marks type to Circle

- Marks card → drop-down menu for mark type → select Circle

Dots appear on the chart representing data points

Step 6: Optionally, drag a dimension to Color on the Marks card

- Marks card → Color

Dots are colored by the chosen dimension, making groups easier to see

Step 7: Adjust axis titles and add tooltips if needed

- Axes → right-click → Edit Axis; Marks card → Tooltip

Chart is clearer and interactive for users

Before vs After

Before

Worksheet shows no chart or only a blank grid

After

Scatter plot displays dots representing Sales vs. Profit for each record, with colors showing categories

Settings Reference

Mark Type

📍 Marks card → drop-down menu

Choose how data points are shown on the chart

Default: Automatic

Color

📍 Marks card → Color

Assign colors to data points to show categories or values

Default: Single color

Detail

📍 Marks card → Detail

Define what each dot represents by adding more detail

Default: None

Tooltip

📍 Marks card → Tooltip

Show extra information when hovering over dots

Default: Automatic fields

Common Mistakes

Dragging dimensions to Rows or Columns instead of measures

Scatter plots need two numeric measures on axes to show relationships

Always drag numeric measures to Rows and Columns shelves for scatter plots

Not changing the mark type to Circle

Default mark type may not clearly show individual data points

Set mark type to Circle for clear dots representing data points

Overloading the plot with too many dimensions on Detail

Too many details can clutter the plot and make it hard to read

Add only necessary dimensions to Detail to keep the plot clear

Summary

Scatter plots show the relationship between two numeric measures using dots.

Drag measures to Columns and Rows, then set mark type to Circle for best results.

Use color and detail to add meaning but keep the plot clear and easy to read.

Practice

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

easy

A. To show the relationship between two numeric variables

B. To display the total sales over time

C. To list all categories in a table format

D. To create a pie chart of proportions

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand scatter plot basics and compare options

   A scatter plot displays points representing two numeric values on X and Y axes. Only 'To show the relationship between two numeric variables' describes this core purpose.

2. Final Answer:

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

3. Quick Check:

   Scatter plot = relationship between two numbers [OK]

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

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing scatter plots with line charts
• Thinking scatter plots show totals or categories only
• Assuming scatter plots are for single variable data

2. Which of the following is the correct way to create a scatter plot in Tableau?

easy

A. Drag two dimensions to the Color shelf

B. Drag a dimension to Columns and a measure to Rows

C. Drag one numeric field to Columns and another numeric field to Rows

D. Drag a measure to Filters and a dimension to Tooltip

Solution

1. Step 1: Recall scatter plot setup and evaluate options

   Scatter plots require two numeric fields, one on Columns and one on Rows. Only 'Drag one numeric field to Columns and another numeric field to Rows' creates a scatter plot.

2. Final Answer:

   Drag one numeric field to Columns and another numeric field to Rows -> Option C

3. Quick Check:

   Scatter plot = numeric on Columns and Rows [OK]

Hint: Scatter plots need two numeric fields on axes [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using dimensions instead of numeric fields on axes
• Placing fields only on Color or Tooltip shelves
• Trying to create scatter plots with filters only

3. Given a scatter plot with Sales on Columns and Profit on Rows, what does a point far to the right but low on the Y-axis represent?

medium

A. Low sales but high profit

B. Low sales and low profit

C. High profit and high sales

D. High sales but low profit

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand axes and interpret point position

   Columns (X) = Sales (far right = high); Rows (Y) = Profit (low = low). Thus, high sales but low profit.

2. Final Answer:

   High sales but low profit -> Option D

3. Quick Check:

   X=Sales high, Y=Profit low = High sales, low profit [OK]

Hint: Right = high X value, low Y = low Y value [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Mixing up X and Y axis meanings
• Assuming high sales always means high profit
• Ignoring axis labels when interpreting points

4. You created a scatter plot but all points appear stacked in one corner. What is the most likely cause?

medium

A. One or both fields are dimensions instead of measures

B. Both axes use the same numeric field

C. Color shelf is empty

D. Filters are applied incorrectly

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify requirements and analyze stacking cause

   Scatter plots need numeric measures on axes. Dimensions cause points to stack at same coordinates.

2. Final Answer:

   One or both fields are dimensions instead of measures -> Option A

3. Quick Check:

   Dimensions on axes cause stacked points [OK]

Hint: Axes must have numeric measures, not dimensions [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming color shelf affects point spread
• Not checking field data types on axes
• Blaming filters without verifying axes

5. You want to analyze customer segments by plotting Annual Income vs Spending Score and color points by Customer Age Group. How should you set up your scatter plot in Tableau?

hard

A. Place Customer Age Group on Filters, Annual Income on Tooltip, Spending Score on Rows

B. Place Annual Income on Columns, Spending Score on Rows, and Customer Age Group on Color

C. Place Spending Score on Columns, Customer Age Group on Rows, and Annual Income on Detail

D. Place Customer Age Group on Columns, Annual Income on Rows, and Spending Score on Color

Solution

1. Step 1: Assign fields correctly for scatter plot with coloring

   Numerics Annual Income (Columns) and Spending Score (Rows) for axes; categorical Customer Age Group on Color for segments.

2. Final Answer:

   Place Annual Income on Columns, Spending Score on Rows, and Customer Age Group on Color -> Option B

3. Quick Check:

   Numeric on axes + category on Color [OK]

Hint: Numeric fields on axes, categories on Color for groups [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Putting categorical fields on axes instead of Color
• Using Filters instead of Color for grouping
• Mixing up which numeric fields go on Columns or Rows