You can use a bubble chart instead of a scatter chart if your data has three data series that each contain a set of values. The sizes of the bubbles are determined by the values in the third data series.
Bubble charts are often used to present financial data. Different bubble sizes are useful to visually emphasize specific values.
To create a bubble chart, arrange your data in rows or columns on a worksheet so that x values are listed in the first row or column and corresponding y values and bubble size (z) values are listed in adjacent rows or columns. For example, organize your worksheet data as shown in the following picture.
Bubble chart
Bubble chart
In this bubble chart, the number of products is displayed along the horizontal axis, the sales amounts are displayed along the vertical axis, and the market share percentages are represented by the size of the bubbles.
Consider using a bubble chart when your data includes the following:
Three values per data pointThree values are required for each bubble. These values can be in rows or columns on the worksheet, but they must be in the following order: x value, y value, and then z value.
Multiple data series Plotting multiple data series in a bubble chart (multiple bubble series) is similar to plotting multiple data series in a scatter chart (multiple scatter series). Scatter charts use sets of x values and y values, but bubble charts use sets of x values, y values, and z values.
When you create a bubble chart, you can choose one of the following bubble chart subtypes.
Bubble or bubble with 3-D effect Both bubble chart types compare sets of three values instead of two. The third value determines the size of the bubble marker. You can choose to display bubbles in 2-D format or with a 3-D effect.
So, how did we create this bubble chart? The following procedure will help you create a bubble chart with similar results. For this chart, we used the example worksheet data. You can copy this data to your worksheet, or you can use your own data.
Copy the example worksheet data into a blank worksheet, or open the worksheet that contains the data that you want to plot in a bubble chart.
Note Make sure that your worksheet has at least four rows or columns of data. When you create a bubble chart from three or fewer rows or columns of data, the chart does not plot the bubbles correctly.
Select the data that you want to plot in the bubble chart.
Note It is best not to include row or column headings in the selection. If you select the headings with your data, the chart may produce incorrect results.
On the Insert tab, in the Charts group, click Other Charts.
This displays the Chart Tools, adding the Design, Layout, and Format tabs.
On the Design tab, in the Chart Styles group, click the chart style that you want to use.
Chart Styles on Excel Ribbon
Chart Styles on Excel Ribbon
Tip For our bubble chart, we used Style 29.
On the chart, click the legend, and then press DELETE.
To change the size of the chart, on the Format tab, in the Size group, select the shape size that you want in the Shape Height and Shape Width box, and then press ENTER.
Tip For our bubble chart, we used 3.5" for both shape height and shape width.
To add a horizontal axis title, click the chart area of the chart, and then do the following:
On the Layout tab, in the Labels group, click Axis Titles, and then click Primary Horizontal Axis Title, and then click Title Below Axis.
Click the horizontal axis title, type the text that you want, and then press ENTER.
Tip For our bubble chart, we typed Number of products.
Click the vertical axis, or select it from a list of chart elements (Layout tab, Current Selection group, Chart Elementsbox).
On the Format tab, in the Current Selection group, click Format Selection.
Under Axis Options, do the following:
For Minimum, select the Fixed option, and then type 0 (zero) in the Fixedbox.
For Maximum, select the Fixed option, and then type the number that you want in the Fixed box.
Tip For our bubble chart, we typed 80000.
In the Format Axis dialog box, click Number.
Under Number, in the Decimal places box, type 0 (zero), and then click Close.
To apply a special formatting effect to the plot area, chart area, chart title, or vertical axis of the chart, click that chart element, or select it from a list of chart elements (Layout tab, Current Selection group, Chart Elements box), and then do the following:
On the Format tab, in the Shape Styles group, click the More button
Button image
|| Button image ||
, and then click the effect that you want to use.
Shape Styles on Excel Ribbon
Shape Styles on Excel Ribbon
Tip For our bubble chart, we used the Subtle Effect - Accent 4 for the plot area, Intense Effect - Accent 4 for the chart area, Subtle Effect - Accent 4 for the chart title, and Intense Line - Accent 6 for the vertical axis.
If you want to use theme colors different from the default theme that is applied to your workbook, do the following:
On the Page Layout tab, in the Themes group, click Themes.
Themes group on Excel Ribbon
Themes group on Excel Ribbon
Under Built-in, click the theme that you want to use.
Tip For our bubble chart, we used the Foundry theme.
If you want to create another chart like the one that you just created, you can save the chart as a template that you can use as the basis for other similar charts.
Click the chart that you want to save as a template.
On the Design tab, in the Type group, click Save as Template.
Type group on Excel Ribbon
Type group on Excel Ribbon
In the File name box, type a name for the template.
Tip Unless you specify a different folder, the template file (.crtx) will be saved in the Charts folder, and the template becomes available under Templates in both the Insert Chart dialog box (Insert tab, Charts group, Dialog Box Launcher
Button image
Button image
) and the Change Chart Type dialog box (Design tab, Type group, Change Chart Type).
DISCLAIMER:
THIS PAGE IS MADE UNDER THE SPECIFICATIONS OF THE COMPUTE THIS 2011-2012 RULES. FOR INFORMATION OR ADDITIONAL HELP, REFER TO http://www.scioly.org/phpBB3/index.php OR TO http://soinc.org/ . ALL CHART TUTORIALS ARE FROM THE http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/default.aspx DOMAIN. ALL CHARTS ARE FROM EXAMPLES REMADE BY STUDENTS IN THE PROGRAM. PLEASE NOTE THAT INFORMATION ON THIS SITE MAY BE SUBJECT TO COPYWRITE THAT IS NOT OWNED BY SCIENCE OLYMPIAD OR WIKISPACES. COPY INFORMATION AT YOUR OWN DISCRETION. THANK YOU.
In this article
Learn more about plotting data in a bubble chart
You can use a bubble chart instead of a scatter chart if your data has three data series that each contain a set of values. The sizes of the bubbles are determined by the values in the third data series.Bubble charts are often used to present financial data. Different bubble sizes are useful to visually emphasize specific values.
To create a bubble chart, arrange your data in rows or columns on a worksheet so that x values are listed in the first row or column and corresponding y values and bubble size (z) values are listed in adjacent rows or columns. For example, organize your worksheet data as shown in the following picture.
In this bubble chart, the number of products is displayed along the horizontal axis, the sales amounts are displayed along the vertical axis, and the market share percentages are represented by the size of the bubbles.
Consider using a bubble chart when your data includes the following:
- Three values per data pointThree values are required for each bubble. These values can be in rows or columns on the worksheet, but they must be in the following order: x value, y value, and then z value.
- Multiple data series Plotting multiple data series in a bubble chart (multiple bubble series) is similar to plotting multiple data series in a scatter chart (multiple scatter series). Scatter charts use sets of x values and y values, but bubble charts use sets of x values, y values, and z values.
When you create a bubble chart, you can choose one of the following bubble chart subtypes.Create an elaborate bubble chart
So, how did we create this bubble chart? The following procedure will help you create a bubble chart with similar results. For this chart, we used the example worksheet data. You can copy this data to your worksheet, or you can use your own data.
- Create a blank workbook or worksheet.
- Select the example in the Help topic.
Note Do not select the row or column headers.Selecting an example from Help
Note Make sure that your worksheet has at least four rows or columns of data. When you create a bubble chart from three or fewer rows or columns of data, the chart does not plot the bubbles correctly.
- Select the data that you want to plot in the bubble chart.
Note It is best not to include row or column headings in the selection. If you select the headings with your data, the chart may produce incorrect results.- Under Bubble, click Bubble with a 3-D Effect.
- Click the chart area (chart area: The entire chart and all its elements.) of the chart.
This displays the Chart Tools, adding the Design, Layout, and Format tabs.Tip For our bubble chart, we used Style 29.
- On the chart, click the legend, and then press DELETE.
- To change the size of the chart, on the Format tab, in the Size group, select the shape size that you want in the Shape Height and Shape Width box, and then press ENTER.
Tip For our bubble chart, we used 3.5" for both shape height and shape width.- In the chart, click the chart title, and then type the text that you want.
Tip For our bubble chart, we typed Industry Market Share Study.- To reduce the size of the chart title, right-click the title, and then enter the size that you want in the Size box on the shortcut menu.
Tip For our bubble chart, we used 12.- To align the chart title with the plot area (plot area: In a 2-D chart, the area bounded by the axes, including all data series. In a 3-D chart, the area bounded by the axes, including the data series, category names, tick-mark labels, and axis titles.), click the chart title, and then drag it to the position that you want.
- To add a horizontal axis title, click the chart area of the chart, and then do the following:
- On the Layout tab, in the Labels group, click Axis Titles, and then click Primary Horizontal Axis Title, and then click Title Below Axis.
- Click the horizontal axis title, type the text that you want, and then press ENTER.
Tip For our bubble chart, we typed Number of products.- For Minimum, select the Fixed option, and then type 0 (zero) in the Fixedbox.
- For Maximum, select the Fixed option, and then type the number that you want in the Fixed box.
Tip For our bubble chart, we typed 80000.- || Button image ||
, and then click the effect that you want to use.Tip For our bubble chart, we used the Subtle Effect - Accent 4 for the plot area, Intense Effect - Accent 4 for the chart area, Subtle Effect - Accent 4 for the chart title, and Intense Line - Accent 6 for the vertical axis.
- Under Built-in, click the theme that you want to use.
Tip For our bubble chart, we used the Foundry theme.Save a chart as a template
If you want to create another chart like the one that you just created, you can save the chart as a template that you can use as the basis for other similar charts.- In the File name box, type a name for the template.
Tip Unless you specify a different folder, the template file (.crtx) will be saved in the Charts folder, and the template becomes available under Templates in both the Insert Chart dialog box (Insert tab, Charts group, Dialog Box LauncherDISCLAIMER:
THIS PAGE IS MADE UNDER THE SPECIFICATIONS OF THE COMPUTE THIS 2011-2012 RULES. FOR INFORMATION OR ADDITIONAL HELP, REFER TO
http://www.scioly.org/phpBB3/index.php OR TO http://soinc.org/ . ALL CHART TUTORIALS ARE FROM THE http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/default.aspx DOMAIN. ALL CHARTS ARE FROM EXAMPLES REMADE BY STUDENTS IN THE PROGRAM. PLEASE NOTE THAT INFORMATION ON THIS SITE MAY BE SUBJECT TO COPYWRITE THAT IS NOT OWNED BY SCIENCE OLYMPIAD OR WIKISPACES. COPY INFORMATION AT YOUR OWN DISCRETION. THANK YOU.