How to Plot Scatter Points with Lines in Excel

Learn how to plot scatter points with lines in Excel using the Format Data Series option or the Select Data Source dialog box.

Scatter plots are a type of chart that show the relationship between two variables. They are useful for visualizing trends, patterns, outliers, and correlations in data. However, sometimes you may want to connect the scatter points with lines to emphasize the continuity or direction of the data. In this article, we will show you how to plot scatter points with lines in Excel using two different methods.

Method 1: Format Data Series

The first method is to use the Format Data Series option in the right-click menu of the chart. This option allows you to change the appearance of a single data series, such as adding lines, markers, colors, and styles. Here are the steps to follow:

1. Create a scatter plot with your data. You can use the Insert tab > Charts group > Scatter option in the ribbon to insert a scatter chart.
2. Select a data series in the chart by clicking on one of its points. Do not double-click, as this will open the Format Data Point dialog box instead of the Format Data Series dialog box.
3. Right-click on the selected data series and choose Format Data Series from the context menu. This will open the Format Data Series pane on the right side of the screen.
4. In the Format Data Series pane, click on the Line icon (the one that looks like a pencil). This will expand the Line options for the data series.
5. Under Line, select Solid line. This will add a solid line to the data series. You can also change the color, width, dash type, and transparency of the line using the other options below.
6. Repeat the steps above for any other data series that you want to add lines to.

Method 2: Select Data Source

The second method is to use the Select Data Source dialog box to add or edit the data series in the chart. This option allows you to change the name, values, and order of the data series, as well as adding or removing data series. Here are the steps to follow:

1. Create a scatter plot with your data. You can use the Insert tab > Charts group > Scatter option in the ribbon to insert a scatter chart.
2. Select the chart and go to the Chart Tools > Design tab > Data group > Select Data option in the ribbon. This will open the Select Data Source dialog box.
3. In the Select Data Source dialog box, you will see a list of the data series in the chart under Legend Entries (Series). You can edit, remove, or move the data series using the buttons on the right side of the list.
4. To add a new data series, click on the Add button. This will open the Edit Series dialog box, where you can enter the name, x values, and y values of the new data series. You can also use the Collapse Dialog buttons to select the data ranges from the worksheet.
5. To change the chart type of a data series, select the data series in the list and click on the Change Chart Type button. This will open the Change Chart Type dialog box, where you can choose a different chart type for the data series. For example, you can choose Scatter with Straight Lines and Markers to add lines to the data series.
6. Click OK to close the Select Data Source dialog box and apply the changes to the chart.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Question: How do I add a trendline to a scatter plot in Excel?

Answer: A trendline is a line that shows the general direction or pattern of the data in a scatter plot. To add a trendline to a scatter plot in Excel, follow these steps:

1. Select a data series in the chart by clicking on one of its points.
2. Go to the Chart Tools > Design tab > Chart Layouts group > Add Chart Element option in the ribbon.
3. Choose Trendline from the drop-down menu and select the type of trendline that you want to add. For example, you can choose Linear, Exponential, Polynomial, or Moving Average.
4. To customize the trendline, right-click on it and choose Format Trendline from the context menu. This will open the Format Trendline pane on the right side of the screen, where you can change the options such as color, width, dash type, transparency, equation, and R-squared value of the trendline.

Question: How do I add error bars to a scatter plot in Excel?

Answer: Error bars are lines that show the uncertainty or variability of the data in a scatter plot. They can indicate the standard deviation, standard error, confidence interval, or custom values of the data. To add error bars to a scatter plot in Excel, follow these steps:

1. Select a data series in the chart by clicking on one of its points.
2. Go to the Chart Tools > Design tab > Chart Layouts group > Add Chart Element option in the ribbon.
3. Choose Error Bars from the drop-down menu and select the type of error bars that you want to add. For example, you can choose Standard Error, Percentage, or Fixed Value.
4. To customize the error bars, right-click on them and choose Format Error Bars from the context menu. This will open the Format Error Bars pane on the right side of the screen, where you can change the options such as direction, end style, amount, and cap of the error bars.

Summary

In this article, we have shown you how to plot scatter points with lines in Excel using two different methods: Format Data Series and Select Data Source. Both methods allow you to add lines to the data series in the chart, as well as changing the appearance and order of the data series. You can also use the Add Chart Element option in the ribbon to add other elements to the scatter plot, such as trendlines, error bars, labels, and titles.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. The information and instructions provided are based on the current version of Excel as of the date of publication and may change in the future. The author and publisher are not responsible for any errors, omissions, damages, or losses that may result from the use of this article. Always consult a qualified expert before making any decisions or taking any actions related to the topic of this article.