Often you may want to create a plot of X vs. Y data points in Excel.

Fortunately this is easy to do and the following step-by-step example shows how to do so.

Step 1: Enter the Data

First, let’s enter the following dataset in Excel:

Step 2: Create the Scatter Plot

Next, we will create a scatter plot to visualize the values in the dataset.

To do so, highlight the cells in the range A2:B14, then click the Insert tab along the top ribbon, then click the Scatter icon in the Charts group:

The following scatter plot will automatically be created:

The x-axis displays the x-values and the y-axis displays the y-values from the dataset.

Note: If you would like the points in the plot to be connected, feel free to click the icon called Scatter with Smooth Lines and Markers within the Charts group instead.

Step 3: Modify the Plot (Optional)

Next, we can make some modifications to the plot to make it easier to read.

First, double click on any of the points in the plot.

In the Format Data Series panel that appears on the right side of the screen, click the Marker icon, then click Marker Options, then click Built-in and change the Size to 7:

This will increase the size of the points in the plot.

Next, click anywhere on the plot. Then click the tiny green plus sign that appears in the top right corner of the plot, then check Axis Titles from the dropdown menu:

Next, click on the axis titles and chart title one at a time and change their titles:

The end result is a plot of the x-values vs. y-values from the original dataset that is easy to read and aesthetically pleasing.

The following tutorials explain how to perform other common operations in Excel: