LibreOffice 3.4 Calc Guide - The Document Foundation Wiki

Bubble charts
A bubble chart is a variation of a scatter chart in which the data points are replaced with bubbles. It
shows the relations of three variables in two dimensions. Two variables are used for the position on
the X-axis and Y-axis, while the third is shown as the relative size of each bubble. One or more
data series can be included in a single chart.
Bubble charts are often used to present financial data. The data series dialog for a bubble chart
has an entry to define the data range for the bubbles and their sizes.
Net charts
Figure 101: Bubble chart showing three data series
A net chart is similar to a polar or radar chart. They are useful for comparing data that are not time
series, but show different circumstances, such as variables in a scientific experiment or direction.
The poles of the net chart are equivalent to the y-axes of other charts. Generally, between three
and eight axes are best; any more and this type of chart becomes confusing. Before and after
values can be plotted on the same chart, or perhaps expected and real results, so that differences
can be compared.
Figure 102 shows two types of net charts:
• (Left): Plain net chart without grids and with just points, no lines.
• (Right): Net chart with lines, points and grid. Axes colors and labels changed. Chart area
color = gradient. Points changed to fancy 3D ones.
Chapter 3 Creating Charts and Graphs 101