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Box Plots and Mean Dot Plots

Box Plots and Mean Dot Plots

Box plots show full distributions (quartiles, median, whiskers, outliers); mean dot plots show average values per group. Use them for single numeric columns, grouped numeric columns, or categorical vs numeric.

When to Use

  • Single numeric column — One variable’s distribution
  • Grouped numeric columns — Compare several numeric variables (e.g. Q1, Q2, Q3 scores)
  • Categorical vs numeric — Compare distributions across categories (e.g. age by region)

Box Plot Components

  • Box — Interquartile range (Q1–Q3), middle 50% of data
  • Median line — White line inside the box
  • Whiskers and end caps — Min and max values

Hover for detailed stats: mean, median, min/max, Q1/Q3, standard deviation, count.

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Job Level by Age - Box Plot
Job Level by Age - Box Plot

Mean Dot Plots

Each dot is the mean for that category or column; position shows the value. Uses your project’s color scheme.

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Mean age by job level
Mean age by job level

How to Access

Categorical vs numeric or single numeric: Set Key Stats | Ranges to Key Stats, then choose Box Plot or Mean in the Box Plot | Mean control.

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Box plot and mean bubble chart controls
Box plot and mean bubble chart controls

Grouped numeric columns: Add multiple numeric columns (find the first numeric column, use More → Group, then select the other numeric columns). Box Plot | Mean is then on the left; default is Box Plot, or choose Mean for dot chart of means.

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Find numeric column
Find numeric column
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More menu – Group
More menu – Group
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Select other numeric columns
Select other numeric columns

Display: Integer | Decimal and “Show numbers on chart” control how values appear. Sort by label or value (median/mean); ascending or descending.


Key points

  • Box plots: full distribution (quartiles, median, outliers). Mean dot plots: averages per group.
  • Single column, grouped numeric, or category vs numeric: use Key Stats then Box Plot | Mean (or Box Plot | Mean directly for grouped numeric).
  • Hover for full statistics; use sort and display format as needed.