How to label scatterplot points by name? - excel

Question

I am trying to figure out how to get labels to show on either Google sheets, Excel, or Numbers.
I have information that looks like this
name|x_val|y_val
----------------
a | 1| 1
b | 2| 4
c | 1| 2
Then I would want my final graph to look like this.
4| .(c)
3|
2| .(b)
1| .(a)
|__ __ __ __
0 1 2 3 4
Like why can't I label each of these points with its name? I can only seem to label the value, e.g, (c) would show 4
Is the only solution D3?

Answer 1

Well I did not think this was possible until I went and checked. In some previous version of Excel I could not do this. I am currently using Excel 2013.
This is what you want to do in a scatter plot:
right click on your data point
select "Format Data Labels" (note you may have to add data labels
first)
put a check mark in "Values from Cells"
click on "select range" and select your range of labels you want on the points
UPDATE: Colouring Individual Labels
In order to colour the labels individually use the following steps:
select a label. When you first select, all labels for the series should get a box around them like the graph above.
Select the individual label you are interested in editing. Only the label you have selected should have a box around it like the graph below.
On the right hand side, as shown below, Select "TEXT OPTIONS".
Expand the "TEXT FILL" category if required.
Second from the bottom of the category list is "COLOR", select the colour you want from the pallet.
If you have the entire series selected instead of the individual label, text formatting changes should apply to all labels instead of just one.

Answer 2

None of these worked for me. I'm on a mac using Microsoft 360. I found this which DID work:
This workaround is for Excel 2010 and 2007, it is best for a small number of chart data points.
Click twice on a label to select it.
Click in formula bar.
Type =
Use your mouse to click on a cell that contains the value you want to use.
The formula bar changes to perhaps =Sheet1!$D$3
Repeat step 1 to 5 with remaining data labels.
Simple

Answer 3

For all those who don't have the option in Excel (like me), there is a macro which works and is explained here: https://www.get-digital-help.com/2015/08/03/custom-data-labels-in-x-y-scatter-chart/ Very useful

Answer 4

Another convoluted answer which should technically work and is ok for a small number of data points is to plot all your data points as 1 series in order to get your connecting line. Then plot each point as its own series. Then format data labels to display series name for each of the individual data points.
In short it works ok for a small data set or just key points from a data set.

Answer 5

If using VBA is an option and assuming that you have a table named 'Table1' of the form:
Label|x_val|y_val
----------------
a | 1| 1
b | 2| 4
c | 1| 2
this routine should work:
Sub labelDatapoints()
Dim r As Integer
With ActiveSheet.ChartObjects(1).Chart 'The scatter plot
.SeriesCollection(1).ApplyDataLabels
For r = 1 To Range("Table1[Label]").Rows.Count 'iterate through all data points
.SeriesCollection(1).Points(r).DataLabel.Text = Range("Table1[Label]").Cells(r).Value 'add the custom label to the current datapoint
Next r
End With
End Sub
Modified from https://www.get-digital-help.com/dynamic-data-labels-in-a-chart/