How to Use Scatter Plots in Excel

1. Open the Excel 2010 file containing the data you want to make into a scatter chart.
2. Arrange the data so the first row for each column has a header in the top row. The header is just a word that describes the data. If you need to add a row to accommodate the headers, right-click the number on the left side of the top row and select 'Insert' from the pop-up menu.
3. Arrange the information so that the leftmost column holds the values you want to use on the X-Axis. You can move a column by right-clicking on the letter at the top of the column and choosing 'Cut' from the pop-up menu. Then, right-click on the letter at the top of the first column and choose 'Insert Cut Cells.'
4. Select any cell within your data table. Click 'Insert' at the top of the screen. Find the 'Charts' area of the ribbon and click the 'Scatter' button. Choose one of the five different scatter chart types, which include 'Only Markers,' showing just the intersection of the data fields; 'Smooth Lines,' with a curved line running from one data point to another; and 'Straight Lines,' with a jagged line running between the data points. Smooth- and straight-line scatter charts are available with and without markers. Click the chart type and Excel will create the scatter chart.
5. Click the 'Quick Layout' button on the 'Design' tab to get a list of pre-set layouts for your chart. These layouts will control how the chart appears by adding axis titles, showing a number grid and displaying the marker data as numbers, as well as a few additional options. You can fine-tune the chart's appearance even more by selecting the 'Layout' or 'Format' tab and modifying the options from the ribbon.