Scatter Sparklines

Scatter sparklines are miniature scatter plots that display the relationship between two variables in a compact space. Each point represents a data pair, helping to identify trends, clusters, or outliers. These sparklines are useful for comparing two data series and analyzing how values interact across a range.

When to use scatter sparklines

• Visualizing correlations: Show how two variables relate—such as sales versus advertising spend—to reveal linear or nonlinear patterns.
• Identifying patterns and outliers: Spot clusters, deviations, or isolated values in datasets without needing a full chart.
• Exploring distributions: Analyze how data points are spread across defined axes in a dense or high-volume dataset.

Create a scatter sparkline

1. On the Insert tab, select Sparklines.
2. Under Scatter Sparkline, select Insert Scatter Sparkline. The Create Sparklines dialog opens.
3. In Data Range, select a continuous range of cells (in the same row or column).
4. In Location Range, select the cell where the sparkline will appear.
5. Click Ok. The sparkline is inserted into the selected cell.

Edit a scatter sparkline

1. Select the scatter sparkline in your workbook.
2. On the Sparkline tab, select Settings. The ScatterSparkline Setting dialog opens.
3. Set the parameters, then click Ok.
4. Copy and paste the sparkline cell to duplicate the configuration in another location, as needed.

Scatter sparkline parameters

The scatter sparkline formula supports the following format:

=SCATTERSPARKLINE(points1, points2, minX, maxX, minY, maxY, hLine, vLine, xMinZone, xMaxZone, yMinZone, yMaxZone, tags, drawSymbol, drawLines, color1, color2, dash)

Parameter	Description
Points1	Define the first series of X and Y data. Accepts a range such as H1:I3. If the range has more rows than columns, use the first two columns (X and Y). If it has more columns, use the first two rows.
Points2	(Optional) Define the second series of X and Y data. Accepts a range such as H4:I6. If the range has more rows than columns, use the first two columns (X and Y). If it has more columns, use the first two rows.
MinX	(Optional) Set the minimum X-axis value. If omitted, calculated automatically.
MaxX	(Optional) Set the maximum X-axis value. If omitted, calculated automatically.
MinY	(Optional) Set the minimum Y-axis value. If omitted, calculated automatically.
MaxY	(Optional) Set the maximum Y-axis value. If omitted, calculated automatically.
HLine	(Optional) Set the position of the horizontal axis. No line appears if omitted.
VLine	(Optional) Set the position of the vertical axis. No line appears if omitted.
XMinZone	(Optional) Define the start of the gray zone on the X-axis. Gray zone appears only if all four zone parameters are provided.
XMaxZone	(Optional) Define the end of the gray zone on the X-axis. Gray zone appears only if all four zone parameters are provided.
YMinZone	(Optional) Define the start of the gray zone on the Y-axis. Gray zone appears only if all four zone parameters are provided.
YMaxZone	(Optional) Define the end of the gray zone on the Y-axis. Gray zone appears only if all four zone parameters are provided.
Color 1	Set the color for the first series. Default: #969696.
Color 2	Set the color for the second series. Default: #CB0000.
Tags	(Optional) Highlight the highest Y value (#0000FF) and lowest Y value (#CB0000) in the first series. Default: disabled.
Draw Symbol	(Optional) Display each point as a symbol: circles for the first series, squares for the second. Default: enabled.
Draw Lines	(Optional) Connect points in each series with a line. Default: disabled.
Dash Line	(Optional) Render the connecting line as dashed. Default: disabled.