Dot chart

Dot charts show the exact values for your data points. Dot charts can be very effective as part of a combination chart.

To learn how to add a dot chart to a board or worksheet, see how to configure a chart card.

On a dot chart, data points are illustrated using different colors to make it easier to distinguish between different data categories.

What can I use dot charts for?

Dot charts show pinpoint values for your data against a dimension, such as time. Use them when you want to place emphasis on the exact values of your data rather than its comparative size.

Dot charts enable you to compare a large number of data series, where other chart types are liable to become visually overcrowded. 

Dot charts work well as part of a combination chart. You can overlay a dot chart over another type of chart to highlight a target or benchmark, without the need to hide data.

Use a dot chart to answer:

• What are the exact values of my data for different time periods?
• How have sales differed across different locations and demographics?
• Which product performed the best each month?

Considerations

A dot chart may not be the best option when:

• data points are close in value, as dots can overlap and be hard to read, unlike other charts.
• visualizing total quantities or proportions.

Alternative chart types

Use a different type of chart if:

• you wish to communicate trends (use a line chart).
• you have a small number of data categories (use an area, bar, column, or pie chart).
• your data categories have identical values for given points in your dimension (use a stacked bar or column chart).

To learn about other types of chart, see Chart types in detail on the Charts page.