Chemistry and Graphing 

M. Rachel Wang

rachelw@spokanefalls.edu

Spokane Falls Community College

Sample Web Page from Hyperstat On-line textbook by David Malone

 http://www.ksu.edu/stats/tch/malone/computers/excel/

Scatterplot

A scatterplot is used to show the relationship between two variables. The following steps can be used to make a scatterplot.

1. Before starting, the two variables of interest should be next to one another (the variable for the x-axis on the left). You can use the Copy/Paste options under Edit to do this. See "How do I edit my work?" for more information.
2. Highlight the variable names and the data values.

3. Click the (Chart Wizard) button on the menu bar.
4. Select XY(Scatter) under Chart type:. You can choose a style for the scatterplot under Chart sub-type. I usually select the box in the first row. After choosing the Chart sub-type, click Next>.
5. In Chart Wizard - Step 2 of 4, we need to make sure the correct data values were highlighted. Data range: includes the data values to be plotted. Further, if the data was enter in columns, Columns should be selected under Series in:. Click Next > to continue or Cancel to start over.

6. Chart Wizard - Step 3 of 4 is used to change the appearance of the bar chart.
   • Titles Tab: add a title and axes labels to the chart
   • Axes Tab: controls the axes style
   • Gridlines Tab: controls the gridlines on the chart
   • Legend Tab: controls the placement of the legend
   • Data Labels Tab: changes the appearance of the data symbols on the chart
7. Click Next >. ChartWizard - Step 4 of 4, is used to determine the placement of the output.
   • Selecting As new sheet: will place the scatterplot on a new sheet. Place cursor in the box and type the name of the new sheet.
   • Selecting As object in: will allow you to put the scatterplot into a current sheet. Use the drop-down arrow to select the sheet.
8. Click Finish and the scatterplot will be placed onto your spreadsheet.

Notes:

• Changing the scale on the axes.
• The plot can be moved by placing the cursor on the plot and while holding the left mouse button down, move the graph to the desired location.
• You can edit your plot to make any necessary changes. See How do I edit my graph for more information.