Enter X and Y Data Ranges for an Excel Scatter Plot
Question details
Set separate worksheet ranges for the X values and Y values in a scatter chart series.
- Product
- Microsoft Excel
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- The required X and Y data is stored in different columns and needs to be plotted as one scatter chart series.
- Observed behavior
- The chart interface displays only a generic series and does not provide separate X-axis and Y-axis range fields.
Use the desktop version of Excel when possible, because Excel for the web and mobile apps can have limited chart-series editing controls. Confirm that the X and Y ranges contain the same number of data points and do not include column headers.
Edit the scatter series X and Y ranges in Excel desktop
Use this method when you need to assign nonadjacent columns or specific cell ranges to the X and Y values of an existing Excel scatter plot.
An XY (Scatter) chart uses paired numeric values. The Series X values range supplies horizontal-axis values, while the Series Y values range supplies vertical-axis values.
In Excel desktop, select the available numeric data, then go to Insert > Insert Scatter (X, Y) or Bubble Chart and choose a Scatter chart type.
Right-click the scatter chart and select Select Data. In the Legend Entries (Series) list, click the series you want to configure.
Click Edit to open the Edit Series dialog box. If no usable series exists, click Add instead.
In Series X values, enter or select the X range, such as =Sheet1!$F$2:$F$20. In Series Y values, enter or select the Y range, such as =Sheet1!$D$2:$D$20, then click OK.
Click OK again to close Select Data and verify that the chart points use the intended horizontal and vertical values.
Set Separate X and Y Ranges in a WPS Spreadsheet Scatter Chart
WPS Spreadsheet lets you create an XY scatter chart from separate columns and adjust the data series through its chart data settings. Select the X and Y ranges, insert a scatter chart, and update the series ranges when your source data changes.
- 1. Prepare matching X and Y data: In WPS Spreadsheet, place your numeric X values and Y values in columns with an equal number of rows.
- 2. Select the chart source data: Select the two data ranges, including headers if you want them used as series labels; hold Ctrl while selecting nonadjacent ranges when needed.
- 3. Insert a scatter chart: Go to Insert > Chart, choose XY (Scatter), select a scatter subtype, and click OK.
- 4. Adjust the series data: Click the chart, open Chart Tools or the chart context menu, and choose Select Data or Edit Data to update the X values and Y values for the series.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does an Excel scatter plot need separate X and Y ranges?
A scatter plot charts paired numeric coordinates rather than category labels. In the Edit Series dialog, Series X values define the horizontal position and Series Y values define the vertical position of each point.
Can my X and Y values be in nonadjacent Excel columns?
Yes. Right-click the chart, choose Select Data, select the series, click Edit, and enter each worksheet range separately in Series X values and Series Y values.
What happens if the X and Y ranges have different numbers of cells?
Excel requires matching pairs of X and Y values. Use ranges with the same number of rows; otherwise, correct the ranges so every X value has one corresponding Y value.
Why can’t I edit X and Y series values in Excel for the web?
Excel for the web may provide fewer chart-editing options than the desktop application. Open the workbook in Excel for Windows or Mac, then use Chart Design > Select Data or right-click the chart and select Select Data.
How do I change the data range for an existing scatter chart in WPS Spreadsheet?
Click the chart in WPS Spreadsheet, open the chart context menu or Chart Tools, then choose Select Data or Edit Data and update the series X and Y ranges.
