Insights for ArcGIS - Create and use a scatter plot matrix

A scatter plot matrix is a grid of several scatter plots of up to five numeric variables. The matrix includes individual scatter plots for every combination of variables.

A scatter plot matrix can answer questions about your data, such as: What are the relationships between several variables?

Examples

A public works department has noticed an increase in leaks on water mains. The department wants to know whether the length of pipes and the average diameter have an effect on the number of leaks. A scatter plot matrix can be created to determine the relationships between the length and diameter of pipes and the number of leaks.

Create a scatter plot matrix

To create a scatter plot matrix, complete the following steps:

Steps:

Select three to five number or rate/ratio fields .
Create the scatter plot matrix using the following steps:
1. Drag the selected fields to a new card.
2. Drop the selected fields on the Scatter Plot Matrix drop zone.

Tip:

You can also create charts using the Chart menu above the data pane or the Visualization type button on an existing card. For the Chart menu, only charts that are compatible with your data selection will be enabled. For the Visualization type menu, only compatible visualizations (including maps, charts, or tables) will be displayed.

Note:

When you drag three to five number fields onto your page, the Chart drop zone is replaced with the Scatter Plot Matrix drop zone. The reason for the change is because a scatter plot matrix is the only chart type that can be created using three number fields.

Usage notes

By default, scatter plots in a matrix are symbolized using a single symbol. The default symbol has no fill to make it easier to read plots with large numbers of points. You can change the Chart Color using the Legend button Legend . You can add a string field to the Color by variable on the x-axis to change the scatter plots to Unique symbols. If unique symbols are used, the legend can be used to select data on the scatter plots. To change the color associated with a category, click the symbol and choose a color from the palette or enter a hex value.

Use the Flip Fields button Flip to switch the variables on the x- and y-axes.

Use the Visualization type button to switch directly between a scatter plot matrix and a summary table.

The R² values for each plot are displayed in a corresponding grid in the empty space of the card. The R² value can be used to analyze the strength of the relationship between the variables in each scatter plot, with R² values closer to 1 indicating a stronger linear relationship.

Note:

R² values are only available for scatter plot matrix charts made with hosted feature layers, database datasets, boundary layers, and Excel or CSV files. If you need the R² value for an unsupported data type, such as a Living Atlas layer, you can drag the individual charts to the Scatter Plot drop zone and use the Chart Statistics button to create a trend line.

Create a full scatter plot from the matrix by selecting a plot and dragging it to create a new card.

Regression analysis

Scatter plot matrices are an important part of regression analysis. Multiple scatter plot matrices are required for the exploratory analysis of your regression model to test the assumptions of Ordinary Least Squares (OLS).

A scatter plot matrix can be created for the dependent and exploratory variables by clicking the Visualize button on the Create Regression Model pane.