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Dot Charts

Dot charts (also commonly known as bubble charts) provide powerful ways to visualize numeric data distributions and comparisons. These visualizations show data points as circular elements positioned according to their values, making it easy to see patterns, outliers, and distributions at a glance.

When to Use Dot Charts

These visualizations (also commonly known as bubble charts) are ideal for:

  • Numeric data exploration — See the spread and distribution of numeric values
  • Comparative analysis — Compare values across different categories or groups
  • Statistical insights — Identify patterns, outliers, and trends in your data
  • Interactive exploration — Hover over dots to see detailed statistics

Types of Dot Charts

AddMaple offers several types of dot chart visualizations (also commonly known as bubble charts):

Regular Bubble Charts

Show data points as bubbles positioned along a scale, with size and position representing values.

Percentage-Based Bubble Charts

Display values as percentages of totals, with bubbles positioned relative to percentage values.

Column Percentage Bubble Charts

Show each column's values as percentages relative to that specific column's total.

Sample Percentage Bubble Charts

Display values as percentages relative to the total sample size.

Accessing Dot Chart Controls

The controls and options vary depending on your data configuration:

Two-Column Pivot (Categorical vs Categorical)

When viewing two categorical columns:

  1. Count | Percentage | Proportional control — Located on the left side
  2. Select "Percentage" — This activates percentage-based visualization
  3. Stacked | Bar | Dot control — Appears after selecting Percentage
  4. Choose "Dot" — This creates a dot chart
  5. Bubble Scale control — Appears when conditions are met (see below)

Two-Column Pivot (Categorical vs Numeric)

When viewing a categorical column against a numeric column:

  1. Count | Percentage | Proportional control — Located on the left side
  2. Select "Percentage" — This activates percentage-based visualization
  3. Stacked | Bar | Dot control — Appears after selecting Percentage
  4. Choose "Dot" — This creates a dot chart
  5. Bubble Scale control — Appears when conditions are met (see below)

Note: This is the most common scenario for dot charts with bubble scale controls.

Grouped Numeric Columns

When viewing multiple numeric columns together:

  1. Box Plot | Mean control — Located directly on the left side
  2. Choose "Mean" — Creates a dot chart visualization showing the means
  3. Bubble Scale control — Appears when switching to percentage mode

Grouped Pivot Charts (Numeric Opinion Scale)

When working with grouped pivot charts:

  1. Select a numeric opinion scale column — The pivot column must be a numeric rating scale (e.g., 1-5, 1-7, 1-10)
  2. Enable group pivot mode — Use the group pivot controls in the left sidebar
  3. Choose aggregation method — Select "Mean" or "Median" for the group pivot type
  4. Switch to dot visualization — The system will display dot charts showing the average values for each group

Note: Grouped pivot dot charts use a different approach and do not show the bubble scale control.

Single Numeric Column

You can also create dot charts for a single numeric column, but this scenario is less commonly used:

  1. Key Stats | Ranges control — Located on the left side
  2. Select "Key Stats" — Reveals additional visualization options
  3. Box Plot | Mean control — Choose "Mean" for dot chart visualization

Bubble Scale Control

The bubble scale control determines how dot positions are calculated and displayed:

Fixed Scale (0–100)

  • Default setting — Dots are positioned on a fixed 0-100 scale
  • Consistent comparison — All charts use the same scale for easy comparison
  • Predictable positioning — You always know what 0%, 50%, and 100% represent
  • Automatic activation — Used when auto scale conditions aren't met

Auto Scale

  • Data-driven scaling — Scale adjusts automatically based on actual data values
  • Optimal visualization — Shows data distribution most clearly for each chart
  • Variable ranges — Each chart may have different min/max values
  • Better for exploration — Reveals actual data patterns and outliers

When Bubble Scale Control Appears

The bubble scale control is only available when specific conditions are met:

Required Conditions

  • Dot chart mode — Must be in Dot mode (not Stacked or Bar)
  • Percentage mode — Must have Percentage or Proportional selected
  • Two pivots — Requires at least two columns (typically categorical vs numeric)
  • No special modes — Cannot be in time series, word cloud, or scatter plot mode

Visibility Rules

  • Single pivot charts — Control is hidden (requires two pivots for meaningful scaling)
  • Count mode — Control is hidden (only relevant for percentage-based charts)
  • Grouped pivot charts — Control is hidden (grouped pivot dot plots use a different approach and don't require scale controls)

Interactive Features

Scale and Positioning

  • Reference markers — Gray markers at 0%, 50%, and 100% help you read values
  • Actual values — Bubbles are positioned according to real data values
  • Responsive scaling — Auto scale adjusts dynamically as you filter data

Hover Information

  • Exact values — Hover over bubbles to see precise numeric values
  • Statistical context — See how each value relates to the overall distribution
  • Category information — Understand which category each bubble represents

Visual Styling

  • Color coding — Uses your project's color palette for consistency
  • Size consistency — All bubbles have the same size for clear comparison
  • Interactive feedback — Bubbles highlight on hover for better visibility

Switching Between Scale Types

From Fixed to Auto Scale

  1. Locate the control — Find "0–100 | Auto Scale" in the left sidebar
  2. Select "Auto Scale" — The dot chart immediately updates
  3. Observe changes — Scale adjusts to show data distribution more clearly
  4. Compare results — Notice how the range changes to fit your data

From Auto to Fixed Scale

  1. Select "0–100" — Returns to the standard fixed scale
  2. Consistent comparison — All dot charts now use the same 0-100 range
  3. Predictable positioning — You always know what the scale represents

Best Practices

Choose the Right Scale Type

  • Use Auto Scale when exploring individual datasets and want to see the full data distribution
  • Use Fixed Scale when comparing multiple dot charts and need consistent reference points
  • Consider your audience — Fixed scale is easier for audiences to understand quickly

Interpret Your Results

  • Wide distribution — If dots spread across most of the scale, your data has high variability
  • Clustered dots — If dots cluster in one area, your data has low variability
  • Outliers — Dots positioned far from others may indicate data outliers
  • Empty areas — Gaps in the scale show missing or sparse data ranges

Optimize for Analysis

  • Combine with filtering — Use filters to focus on specific data ranges
  • Sort by value — Arrange categories to see patterns more clearly
  • Compare across charts — Use fixed scale when comparing multiple dot charts
  • Export findings — Save dot charts with auto scale when sharing detailed analysis

Troubleshooting

Bubble Scale Control Not Visible

  • Check chart mode — Must be in Dot mode (not Stacked or Bar)
  • Verify percentage setting — Must have Percentage or Proportional selected
  • Confirm data structure — Need at least two pivots for scale control

Dots Not Displaying Correctly

  • Refresh data — Try switching between chart modes to reload
  • Check data types — Ensure columns contain numeric data
  • Verify settings — Make sure dot chart mode is properly enabled
  • Clear filters — Remove any filters that might hide data

Scale Issues

  • No auto scale option — Ensure you're in percentage mode
  • Unexpected ranges — Fixed scale always uses 0-100, auto scale adjusts to data
  • Inconsistent positioning — Use fixed scale for consistent comparison across dot charts

Key Points

  • Dot charts (also known as bubble charts) show numeric distributions as circular elements
  • Four main scenarios: two-column pivot (categorical vs categorical), two-column pivot (categorical vs numeric), grouped numeric columns, and grouped pivot charts
  • Scale controls determine how dot positions are calculated
  • Fixed scale (0–100) provides consistent comparison
  • Auto scale adjusts dynamically to show data distribution
  • Grouped pivot dot charts require numeric opinion scale columns and mean/median aggregation
  • Bubble scale controls appear only in percentage mode + dot mode
  • Controls only appear when specific conditions are met
  • Interactive features provide detailed value information
  • Choose scale type and chart type based on your analysis goals

Key takeaways

  • Four main scenarios for dot charts: two-column pivot (categorical vs categorical), two-column pivot (categorical vs numeric), grouped numeric columns, and grouped pivot charts
  • Grouped pivot dot charts require numeric opinion scale columns with mean/median aggregation
  • Bubble scale controls appear only in specific chart configurations (percentage mode + dot mode)
  • Fixed scale (0–100) is best for consistent comparison across multiple dot charts
  • Auto scale is ideal for exploring individual data distributions in detail
  • Interactive tooltips provide detailed statistical information
  • Consider your data type and analysis goals when choosing chart type and scale
  • Troubleshooting steps help resolve common visibility and configuration issues