Plots data points for independent and dependant variables and sizes them with a 3rd variable.
Often used for scientific, statistical, and engineering data.
Shows patterns in large sets of data like an XY or Scatter plot.
Data Format
- Categories: (e.g. years)
- Categories are not normally shown on either axis.
- Limit use of bubble charts to when some correlation between data sets is expected.
- x-axis: Data Series 1 (e.g. urban population)
- Independent variables are normally shown on the X axis. Logarithmic scales can be used.
- y-axis: Data Series 2 (e.g. GDP per capita)
- Dependent variables are normally shown on the Y axis.
- Use the Switch Row/Column option on the Chart Design menu to switch data sets between axes if required.
- z-axis: Data Series 3 (e.g. Total population)
- This third series can be used to scale the bubbles.
- Formatting:
- Use the Value From Cells option under Label Options to apply Category instead of X, Y, Z (Bubble Size) labels to plots.
| Series 1 | Series 2 | Series 3 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Category 1 | # | # | # |
| Category 2 | # | # | # |
Try it now!
- Select a region using the dropdown list to view 10 year growth rates in urban population versus GDP per capita.
- Bubble sizes are total population for latest available year. Country selection is random.
- Note how the chart and title adjust to reflect the different countries and values.
- This chart was built using data validation lists, named ranges, conditional statements and the IF, IFERROR, MATCH, OFFSET, RANDARRAY, SEQUENCE, SORTBY and VLOOKUP functions.
Related Scatter and Bubble Charts