Framework: DD014 – dd014_v02

Part of series: DD014 Data-Driven Charts 014 – Scatter Charts

Series Keywords: scatter, dot, concentrations, groupings, clusters

Scatter charts (dot charts) show concentrations. The template is set up with two colors of sprites. If you only need one, delete the column that contains the second color and place all your data into the first column. If you need more than two colors, just add data to a third, etc., column(s).

You can change the size and shape of the sprites by double clicking on them and then selecting a point size. You can change the fill color and line color at the same time if you want. When there are only a few sprites on the page, you should use a larger sprite. You can also label each one, but you have to do this manually so you can control the label placement. When there are many sprites, labeling becomes impossible. The message needs to be simply the areas and attributes of the concentration(s). You'll want to reduce the size of the sprites so there isn't as much overlap and, therefore, the individual sprites are distinct.

You can place a quadrant over the plotted area if you want to add a layer of classification information. You can also place a type of target over the area that has the desirable characteristics.

The v2 chart in this series is technically a scatter chart, but it appears to be a line chart. This type of chart is superb at showing a very specific type of information: levels of values over time that change abruptly due to an event. This chart was featured as the May 2009 Chart of the Month. Review the tutorial for specific information about creating the stair-step line chart.

These chart will assume the default settings in your template when imported. Refer to the tutorial for this series as well as the FAQs about working with data-driven charts.

Key search words: scatter, dot, concentrations, groupings, clusters