# Scatter and Bubble Plots (Standard & Radar) Learn how to configure Scatter and Bubble charts with ActiveReportsJS. ## Content ## Overview **Scatter**, **Bubble**, **Radar Scatter**, and **Radar Bubble** plots are effective for visualizing relationships between **Data Values**, showing how two or more variables correlate. These plots differ in how they arrange and represent data: * **Scatter Plots** position **Symbols** based on two numerical values—one on the **horizontal axis** and one on the **vertical axis**. * **Bubble Plots** extend Scatter Plots by encoding an additional data value into the **size of each symbol**, allowing visualization of three variables simultaneously. * **Radar Scatter Plots** arrange **Categories** radially around a circle, positioning **Symbols** along radial lines to display ordinal measurements of one or two variables across multiple categories. Points can be connected with straight lines to emphasize relationships. * **Radar Bubble Plots** extend Radar Scatter Plots by encoding an additional data value into the **size of each symbol**, providing deeper insights into categorical data distributions. These plot types are useful for identifying **patterns, correlations, clusters, and outliers** in datasets, making them ideal for scientific research, financial analysis, performance comparisons, and market segmentation. ## Simple Scatter Plot A **Scatter Plot** is used to visualize relationships between two numerical variables, helping to identify correlations, patterns, and trends in data.For example, the [Simple Scatter Demo](https://developer.mescius.com/activereportsjs/demos/Reports/SimpleScatterPlot/purejs) illustrates the correlation between **GDP per capita** and **life expectancy**, showing how economic wealth is associated with longer lifespans. ![](https://cdn.mescius.io/document-site-files/images/e637becb-8cbc-4561-bac1-84462097b057/reportauthor-guide/Chart/SimpleScatterExample.png) ## Simple Bubble Plot A **Bubble Plot** extends a Scatter Plot by incorporating a third variable, which is represented by the **size of the symbols**. This allows for a more detailed analysis of relationships between multiple data points.For example, the [Simple Bubble Demo](https://developer.mescius.com/activereportsjs/demos/Reports/SimpleBubblePlot/purejs) visualizes the correlation between a tree’s **diameter**, **height**, and **volume**, where larger bubbles indicate greater tree volume. ![](https://cdn.mescius.io/document-site-files/images/e637becb-8cbc-4561-bac1-84462097b057/reportauthor-guide/Chart/SimpleBubbleExample.png) ## Multi-Category Scatter and Bubble Plots Scatter and Bubble plots can be configured to categorize **Data Values**, using **symbol colors, shapes, or both** to distinguish between different groups. This allows for a more detailed comparison of relationships within subgroups.For example, the [Multi-Category Scatter Demo](https://developer.mescius.com/activereportsjs/demos/Reports/CategorizedScatterPlot/purejs) visualizes the correlation between **GDP per capita** and **life expectancy**, categorizing data points by **continent**, with each region represented by a unique symbol and color. ![](https://cdn.mescius.io/document-site-files/images/e637becb-8cbc-4561-bac1-84462097b057/reportauthor-guide/Chart/CategorizedScatterExample.png) ## Simple Radar Scatter and Bubble Plots A **Radar Scatter Plot** visualizes measurements of a **single variable**, positioning data points along radial lines extending from the center. A **Radar Bubble Plot** extends this concept by encoding an additional variable into the **size of the data points**, allowing for multi-dimensional comparisons. For example, the [Simple Radar Bubble Demo](https://developer.mescius.com/activereportsjs/demos/Reports/SimpleRadarBubblePlot/purejs) represents **average monthly temperature** and **precipitation** in **Paris, France**. * **Temperature** is plotted along the radial lines, determining the position of each data point. * **Precipitation** is represented by the **size of the data points**, making it easy to compare rainfall amounts across months. ![image](https://cdn.mescius.io/document-site-files/images/4206d62a-1d03-42d0-9ace-80a695bb8c17/image.851c19.png) ## Multi-Category Radar Scatter and Bubble Plots Radar Scatter and Bubble plots can be configured to **categorize Data Values** using **symbol colors, shapes, or both**, enabling comparisons across multiple subcategories. This approach helps distinguish different groups within the dataset while preserving the radial layout.For example, the [Multi-Category Radar Scatter Demo](https://developer.mescius.com/activereportsjs/demos/Reports/MultiCategoryRadarScatterPlot/purejs) visualizes **average monthly temperatures** in **three European cities**, with each city represented by a distinct **symbol color**, allowing for easy comparison of climate patterns throughout the year. ![image](https://cdn.mescius.io/document-site-files/images/4206d62a-1d03-42d0-9ace-80a695bb8c17/image.e9f320.png) You can use the following demos to explore plot properties - open a link, toggle the [Report explorer](/activereportsjs/docs/v6.1/ReportAuthorGuide/Report-Designer-Interface#report-explorer), select the `Plot - Plot 1` node and use the [Properties panel](/activereportsjs/docs/v6.1/ReportAuthorGuide/Report-Designer-Interface#properties-panel) to modify the configuration. * [Simple Scatter Plot Demo](https://developer.mescius.com/activereportsjs/demos/Reports/SimpleScatterPlot/purejs) * [Simple Bubble Plot Demo](https://developer.mescius.com/activereportsjs/demos/Reports/SimpleBubblePlot/purejs) * [Multi-category Scatter Plot Demo](https://developer.mescius.com/activereportsjs/demos/Reports/CategorizedScatterPlot/purejs) * [Simple Radar Bubble Plot Demo](https://developer.mescius.com/activereportsjs/demos/Reports/SimpleRadarBubblePlot/purejs) * [Multi-category Radar Scatter Plot Demo](https://developer.mescius.com/activereportsjs/demos/Reports/MultiCategoryRadarScatterPlot/purejs) You could also download the report files listed below and open them in the [Standalone Report Designer](/activereportsjs/docs/v6.1/ReportAuthorGuide/QuickStart/Get-Started-With-Designer-App). * [Simple Scatter Plot report](https://developer.mescius.com/activereportsjs/demos/en/sample/Reports/SimpleScatterPlot/purejs/scatter-simple.rdlx-json) * [Simple Bubble Plot report](https://developer.mescius.com/activereportsjs/demos/en/sample/Reports/SimpleBubblePlot/purejs/bubble-simple.rdlx-json) * [Multi-category Scatter Plot report](https://developer.mescius.com/activereportsjs/demos/en/sample/Reports/CategorizedScatterPlot/purejs/scatter-categorized.rdlx-json) * [Simple Radar Bubble Plot report](https://developer.mescius.com/activereportsjs/demos/en/sample/Reports/SimpleRadarBubblePlot/purejs/radar-bubble-simple.rdlx-json) * [Multi-category Radar Scatter Plot report](https://developer.mescius.com/activereportsjs/demos/en/sample/Reports/MultiCategoryRadarScatterPlot/purejs/radar-scatter-multi-category.rdlx-json) ## Next Steps For more detailed information about Line Plots, refer to the following pages: * [Creating Scatter and Bubble Plots (Standard & Radar)](/activereportsjs/docs/v6.1/ReportAuthorGuide/Report-Items/Data-Regions/Chart/plot/scatter-bubble/creating-scatter--bubble-plots-standard--radar)