# Scatter Plume: every field and setting of the scatter chart

> Every field and setting of Scatter Plume, Format and Analytics panes: play axis, quadrants, density, images, trends, with possible values and defaults.

- Language: English
- Web page: https://plumevisuals.com/en/tutorials/scatter-plume-champs-et-reglages
- Published: 2026-10-18
- Visual: Scatter Plume, technical reference: https://plumevisuals.com/ai/visuals/scatter-chart.md
- If an option name in this tutorial differs from the technical reference, the reference is right (it is generated from the visual's code).

This page describes everything Scatter Plume offers: the field wells, then every card of the Format pane, in the order they appear. The default value of each setting is in **bold**, premium features carry a ★. For a first guided chart, see [getting started](/en/tutorials/nuage-de-points-quadrants). This page describes version 1.4 (reorganized Format pane: new **Gridlines** card, drill-down on Details, y = a·x lines ★).

## The visual's fields

| Field (exact name) | Required? | How many fields | What you drag in | What it does | Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Details (one point each) | Yes, in practice | 1 to 4 (hierarchy) | Column (text, code) | One point per value; several fields form a hierarchy you can drill into | `Product` |
| Legend (series) | No | 1 | Column | One color (or shape) per value | `Category` |
| X axis | Yes | 1 | Measure | Horizontal position | `Orders` |
| Y axis | Yes | 1 | Measure | Vertical position | `Margin rate` |
| Size | No | 1 | Measure | Area of each bubble | `Revenue` |
| Play axis | No | 1 | Column (date, year, month) | Animates the cloud: one frame per value | `Month` |
| Small multiples ★ | No | 1 | Column | One small cloud per value, same axes | `Channel` |
| Label (text) | No | 1 | Measure or text column | Text written next to each point; blank = no label | `Note` |
| Color | No | 1 | Measure | One color per point (`#2E7D4F`, `red`), or a number for a gradient ★ | `Status color` |
| Highlight ★ | No | 1 | Measure | Not blank and not 0: the point stands out, the others turn gray | `Is my store` |
| Reference X | No | 1 | Measure | Target on the X axis: reference lines and quadrants ★ | `Orders target` |
| Reference Y | No | 1 | Measure | Target on the Y axis: reference lines and quadrants ★ | `Margin target` |
| Image ★ | No | 1 | Text measure | An embedded image (base64) inside each point; never a web address | `Flag` |
| Tooltips | No | 1 or more | Measures | Figures added to the tooltip | `Gross margin` |
| Dynamic format | No | 1 or more | Measures renamed `card.setting` | Drives a Format pane setting with DAX | `quadrants.yValue` |

### Details (one point each)

This field decides **how many points** you see: one per value. Without it, the visual draws a single point per series (the total). Scatter Plume reads up to 100,000 values, in batches of 10,000 ("Loading data…" shows while loading); beyond 5,000 points, they are drawn in one block to stay smooth.

**Drill-down**: drag up to 4 fields into **Details**, for example `Category` then `Product`. At first, one point per category; the drill buttons in the visual header go down one level (the products of a clicked category), back up, or expand everything (one point per product, named "Category · Product"), as in the native scatter chart.

### Legend (series)

A column whose values each become a **series**: a group of points of the same color, named in the legend. With **Points › Shape** = *One shape per series*, each series also gets its own shape (circle, square…), useful for black-and-white printing or color-blind readers.

- If each product belongs to a single category, each product stays a single point.
- If a product belongs to several legend values (Legend = `Channel`), it is drawn once per value: one point per product and channel.
- Up to 60 series are read; beyond 6 to 8 colors, the chart becomes hard to read.

### X axis and Y axis: can I add several measures?

No: one measure per axis. A scatter chart compares **two** measures. To compare two groups of points (2024 and 2025, store and web), put the column that separates them in **Legend (series)**: each group gets its color.

### Size

An optional measure. The **area** of each bubble follows the value, between **Points › Smallest bubble** and **Largest bubble**, according to **Points › Size scaling** (as in Power BI: magnitude when all sizes have the same sign, data range otherwise). Large bubbles are drawn first, small ones stay visible in front. Without a **Size** field, all points have the size **Points › Size (without a Size field)**.

### Play axis

A column of dates, months or years. The cloud shows one frame at a time: the points of that date. The ▶ button below the chart plays the frames, the slider picks a date. The axes do not move during playback: you really see the points move. Clicking a bubble selects it for **every** date (the report is filtered on the product, not on the date) and draws its **trail**, the path traveled since the first date. Settings are in the **Playback** card (formerly "Play axis"), shown when the field is filled. Dates are written with the column format (**Column tools › Format**, for example `mmm yyyy` → "Apr 2025"); with a generic format, first days of the month give "April 2025" and January 1st gives "2025".

### Small multiples ★

A column whose values each get their own small cloud (36 at most), with the same axes for an easy comparison (one cloud per channel, per region…). Trend, quadrants, labels and rectangle selection work in each small cloud. Clicking a point filters the report on the point **and** its small multiple.

### Label (text), Color, Highlight ★

- **Label (text)**: every point whose text is not blank **always** gets its label, with that text, whatever the settings of the **Data labels** card. This is how you label only chosen points (example: `IF ( [Revenue] > 50000, SELECTEDVALUE ( Products[Product] ) )`).
- **Color**: a measure that returns a color (`#2E7D4F`, `red`…) colors each point (free). A measure that returns a number colors the points with a gradient (★).
- **Highlight ★**: a measure that is neither blank nor 0 highlights the point; the others turn gray and fade.

### Reference X and Reference Y

A target or benchmark measure (a goal, a market average). It is used by **reference lines ★** (Value = *“Reference X” or “Reference Y” field*) and by **quadrants ★** (Split = *“Reference X” field*). Write it with `CALCULATE ( …, ALLSELECTED () )` for a value shared by all points; otherwise the visual takes the average over the points.

### Image ★

A measure that returns an **embedded image** for each point: a flag, a logo, a product photo. The image is drawn inside a circle, with a border in the series color. Only images written in the data are accepted: `data:image/png;base64,…`, `data:image/svg+xml;base64,…`, or the base64 text alone (PNG, JPEG, GIF, WebP, SVG recognized by their first characters). **A web address (`https://…`) is never loaded**: visuals certified by Microsoft are not allowed to call the internet. The point stays a regular point and a message says so in edit mode. To convert an image: in Power Query, `Binary.ToText ( File.Contents ( "C:\…\logo.png" ), BinaryEncoding.Base64 )`, then a measure `"data:image/png;base64," & SELECTEDVALUE ( Table[Logo base64] )`. Above 5,000 points, images are not drawn.

### Tooltips and Dynamic format

**Tooltips**: the added measures show on hover, after the point name and its values. **Dynamic format**: a measure renamed `card.setting` drives any setting (example: `quadrants.yValue`). See the common page for both fields.

## Format pane settings

The cards are described in the order of the **Format** pane, followed by those of the **Analytics** pane.

The cards shared by all Plume visuals (**Plume Studio License**, **Style**, **Interactions** (shared settings), **Tooltips**, **Title**, **Source note**, **Frame**, **Language and numbers**) are described once in [the shared basics](/en/tutorials/bien-demarrer-visuels-plume): they are not repeated here. The background and rounded corners are set in the **Frame** card, and the **fx** button (conditional formatting from a measure) is available on every color and every text.

### Data colors

This card chooses how points are colored. It is dynamic: it shows one **Color** line per series, with the Power BI **fx** button.

| Setting | What it does | Possible values (default in **bold**) |
|---|---|---|
| Coloring | General color rule | ***Palette (one color per series)*** · *Single color*: all points the same color · *Gradient by a value ★*: the color follows a measure, from light to dark (gradient palette of the style) |
| Color | Color of all points with *Single color* | **empty** (style accent) |
| Color | Color of each series; without a Legend, one line for the single series | **empty** (palette color) |
| Gradient value | Measure that drives the color | ***Y axis*** · *X axis* · *Size* · *“Color” field* |

### Points

This card sets the shape and size of points.

**Shape group**

| Setting | What it does | Possible values (default in **bold**) |
|---|---|---|
| Shape | How each point is drawn | ***Circle*** · *Square* · *Diamond* · *Triangle* · *Cross (x)* · *Plus (+)* · *One shape per series*: helps when colors are hard to tell apart |
| Size (without a Size field) | Size of all points when **Size** is empty | 2 to 40, **8** |
| Smallest bubble | Size of the smallest bubble (with a **Size** field) | 2 to 40, **5** |
| Largest bubble | Size of the largest bubble | 6 to 120, **36** |
| Size scaling | How the value becomes an area | ***Automatic*** (like Power BI) · *Magnitude (0 = smallest)*: -50 and 50 make the same bubble · *Data range (min → max)*: the smallest value makes the smallest bubble |
| Opacity (%) | Point transparency; lower it when points overlap | 10 to 100, **80** |
| Fill points | Off: hollow markers (only their outline, in the point color), like "Fill point" in Power BI | **On** / Off |
| Outline | Draws an outline around each point, which separates it from its neighbors | **On** / Off |
| Outline color (empty = background) (appears if Outline is on) | Outline color | **empty** |
| Outline width (appears if Outline is on) | Width of the point outline | 0.5 to 6, **1** |
| Keep bubbles inside the plot | Widens the axes so that bubbles near the edges are not cut (automatic minimum and maximum; never below zero for positive values) | **On** / Off |
| Jitter overlapping points (px) | Moves each point by a small fixed offset so identical points can be seen and clicked; 0 = exact positions | 0 to 20, **0** |

**Images ★ group**

| Setting | What it does | Possible values (default in **bold**) |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum size of a point with an image (px) | Points that carry an image are drawn at least this large so the image stays legible | 8 to 120, **22** |
| Border in the series color | Circle in the point color around the image | **On** / Off |
| Border width (appears if Border in the series color is on) | Width of that circle | 0.5 to 6, **1.5** |

**Connect points ★ group**

| Setting | What it does | Possible values (default in **bold**) |
|---|---|---|
| Connect the points of each series ★ | A line joins the points of a series in the order of the Details field (a year, a month…): a trajectory | On / **Off** |
| Width | Line width | 0.5 to 6, **1.5** |
| Line style | How the line is drawn | ***Solid*** · *Dashed* · *Dotted* |
| Arrow on the last point | Shows the direction of the trajectory | **On** / Off |

### Data labels

This card writes the name or the values next to the points. Turn it on with the switch in its header or with **Show**.

**Labels group**

| Setting | What it does | Possible values (default in **bold**) |
|---|---|---|
| Show | Shows labels | On / **Off** |
| Content | What is written | ***Detail (point name)*** · *Name and Y value* · *X and Y values* · *Y value* |
| Labeled points | Which points get a label. Points with a text in the “Label (text)” field are always labeled with that text | ***Largest (N)*** · *All (no overlap)* · *Selected*: only the points you clicked |
| N (appears if Labeled points = *Largest (N)*) | Number of labeled points: the largest bubbles first; without a Size field, the largest Y values (absolute value) | 1 to 200, **10** |
| Italic | Italicizes the labels | On / **Off** |
| Background | Colors the visual background | On / **Off** |
| Background color (empty = background) (appears if Background is on) | Color of the box behind each label | **empty** |
| Background transparency (%) (appears if Background is on) | Transparency of that box | 0 to 100, **15** |
| Size | Label size | 6 to 24, **10** |
| Color (empty = automatic) | Text color; automatic = readable on the background | **empty** |
| Bold | Bold labels | On / **Off** |
| Text halo | Thin outline that separates the text from the points | **On** / Off |
| Hide overlapping labels | Removes labels that overlap | **On** / Off |

**Numbers group**

| Setting | What it does | Possible values (default in **bold**) |
|---|---|---|
| Display units | Shortens large numbers | ***Auto*** · *None* · *Thousands* · *Millions* · *Billions* |
| Decimals (-1 = auto) | Digits after the decimal point | -1 to 6, **-1** |
| Prefix | Text before the number | **empty** |
| Suffix (e.g. €) | Text after the number | **empty** |

### Quadrants ★

This card splits the cloud into four areas with a vertical and a horizontal line, and names each area. Turn it on with the switch in its header.

**Splits group**

| Setting | What it does | Possible values (default in **bold**) |
|---|---|---|
| Show ★ | Draws the quadrants | On / **Off** |
| Vertical split | Where the vertical line goes. Average and median are computed on the displayed points, each point counting once (not weighted by size) | ***Average of X*** · *Median of X* · *Fixed value* · *“Reference X” field* |
| X value (appears if Vertical split = *Fixed value*) | Position of the vertical line, in the unit of the X measure | **0** |
| Horizontal split | Where the horizontal line goes | ***Average of Y*** · *Median of Y* · *Fixed value* · *“Reference Y” field* |
| Y value (appears if Horizontal split = *Fixed value*) | Position of the horizontal line, in the unit of the Y measure (0.45 for 45%) | **0** |
| Split color (empty = secondary) | Color of both lines | **empty** |
| Line style | How both lines are drawn | *Solid* · ***Dashed*** · *Dotted* |
| Tint the top-right quadrant | Lightly colors the top-right area **on screen** (usually the winners) | **On** / Off |

**Quadrant colors group**

| Setting | What it does | Possible values (default in **bold**) |
|---|---|---|
| Tint all four quadrants | One tint per quadrant instead of only the top-right one | On / **Off** |
| Top right (empty = accent) | Color of the top-right quadrant | **empty** |
| Top left (empty = automatic) (appears if Tint all four quadrants is on) | Color of this quadrant | **empty** |
| Bottom left (empty = unfavorable) (appears if Tint all four quadrants is on) | Color of this quadrant | **empty** |
| Bottom right (empty = automatic) (appears if Tint all four quadrants is on) | Color of this quadrant | **empty** |
| Tint opacity (%) | Strength of the tints | 2 to 40, **7** |
| Color points by quadrant | Each point takes the color of its quadrant | On / **Off** |

**Quadrant names group**

| Setting | What it does | Possible values (default in **bold**) |
|---|---|---|
| Top left | Name written in this quadrant | **empty** |
| Top right | Name written in this quadrant | **empty** |
| Bottom left | Name written in this quadrant | **empty** |
| Bottom right | Name written in this quadrant | **empty** |
| Text size | Size of the names | 6 to 20, **9** |
| Point count | Adds the number or share of points of the quadrant to its name | ***None*** · *Count* · *Percentage* · *Count and percentage* |

### X axis

This card sets the horizontal axis. Turn it on with the switch in its header. The axis adds an automatic margin around the points, without going below zero.

**Values group**

| Setting | What it does | Possible values (default in **bold**) |
|---|---|---|
| Show | Shows the ticks | **On** / Off |
| Position | Axis location | ***Bottom*** · *Top* |
| Size | Tick size | 6 to 24, **9** |
| Color (empty = secondary text) | Tick color | **empty** |
| Display units | Shortens large numbers | ***Auto*** · *None* · *Thousands* · *Millions* · *Billions* |
| Decimals (-1 = auto) | Digits after the decimal point | -1 to 6, **-1** |
| Prefix | Text before the number | **empty** |
| Suffix (e.g. €) | Text after the number | **empty** |
| Axis line | Draws the axis line | On / **Off** |

**Range group**

| Setting | What it does | Possible values (default in **bold**) |
|---|---|---|
| Scale | Tick spacing | ***Linear*** · *Logarithmic* (each tick multiplies by 10: for widely spread values; values ≤ 0 left out) |
| Minimum | Start of the axis; empty = automatic | **empty** |
| Maximum | End of the axis; empty = automatic | **empty** |
| Always include zero (appears if Scale = *Linear*) | Starts the axis at zero | On / **Off** |
| Number of ticks (approx.) | Approximate number of ticks | 2 to 20, **5** |
| Invert axis | Large values go left | On / **Off** |
| Round range | Rounds the computed bounds to a round tick; when off, the axis stops at the extreme values | **On** / Off |

**Axis title group**

| Setting | What it does | Possible values (default in **bold**) |
|---|---|---|
| Show | Shows an axis title | On / **Off** |
| Text (appears if Axis title › Show is on) | Title text; empty = measure name | **empty** |

### Y axis

This card sets the vertical axis. It has the same settings as the **X axis** card, with two different values.

**Values group**

| Setting | What it does | Possible values (default in **bold**) |
|---|---|---|
| Show | Shows the ticks | **On** / Off |
| Position | Axis location | ***Left*** · *Right* |
| Size | Tick size | 6 to 24, **9** |
| Color (empty = secondary text) | Tick color | **empty** |
| Display units | Shortens large numbers | ***Auto*** · *None* · *Thousands* · *Millions* · *Billions* |
| Decimals (-1 = auto) | Digits after the decimal point | -1 to 6, **-1** |
| Prefix | Text before the number | **empty** |
| Suffix (e.g. €) | Text after the number | **empty** |
| Axis line | Draws the axis line | On / **Off** |

**Range group**

| Setting | What it does | Possible values (default in **bold**) |
|---|---|---|
| Scale | Tick spacing | ***Linear*** · *Logarithmic* |
| Minimum | Start of the axis; empty = automatic | **empty** |
| Maximum | End of the axis; empty = automatic | **empty** |
| Always include zero (appears if Scale = *Linear*) | Starts the axis at zero | On / **Off** |
| Number of ticks (approx.) | Approximate number of ticks | 2 to 20, **5** |
| Invert axis | Large values go down | On / **Off** |
| Round range | Rounds the computed bounds to a round tick; when off, the axis stops at the extreme values | **On** / Off |

**Axis title group**

| Setting | What it does | Possible values (default in **bold**) |
|---|---|---|
| Show | Shows an axis title | On / **Off** |
| Text (appears if Axis title › Show is on) | Title text | **empty** |

### Gridlines

This card groups the guide lines (they used to be in the **X axis** and **Y axis** cards), like the gridlines of the native scatter chart: **Horizontal** follows the Y axis ticks, **Vertical** the X axis ticks, and **Plot area** colors the background between the axes.

**Horizontal group**

| Setting | What it does | Possible values (default in **bold**) |
|---|---|---|
| Show | Horizontal guide lines, at the Y axis ticks | **On** / Off |
| Color (empty = style grid) | Line color | **empty** |
| Width | Line width (px) | 0.5 to 6, **1** |
| Line style | Look of the lines | ***Solid*** · *Dashed* · *Dotted* |
| Zero line | Stronger line at zero | **On** / Off |

**Vertical group**

| Setting | What it does | Possible values (default in **bold**) |
|---|---|---|
| Show | Vertical guide lines, at the X axis ticks | On / **Off** |
| Color (empty = style grid) | Line color | **empty** |
| Width | Line width (px) | 0.5 to 6, **1** |
| Line style | Look of the lines | ***Solid*** · *Dashed* · *Dotted* |

**Plot area group**

| Setting | What it does | Possible values (default in **bold**) |
|---|---|---|
| Background color (empty = none) | Background color of the plot area (between the axes) | **empty** |
| Transparency (%) | Transparency of that background | 0 to 100, **0** |

### Legend

This card sets the legend, shown when the chart has several series. Turn it on with the switch in its header.

| Setting | What it does | Possible values (default in **bold**) |
|---|---|---|
| Show | Shows the legend | **On** / Off |
| Position | Location | ***Top*** · *Bottom* · *Right* · *Left* |
| Alignment (appears if Position = *Top* or *Bottom*) | Horizontal alignment | ***Start*** · *Center* · *End* |
| Legend title | Shows a title before the legend | On / **Off** |
| Title text (appears if Legend title is on) | Title text | **empty** |
| Size | Size of the series names | 6 to 24, **9** |
| Color (empty = secondary text) | Text color | **empty** |
| Click = select the series | Clicking a legend name selects the whole series and filters the report | **On** / Off |

### Highlight ★

This card makes points stand out: those named in **Highlighted points ★**, or those for which the measure in the **Highlight ★** field is neither blank nor 0. The others turn gray.

| Setting | What it does | Possible values (default in **bold**) |
|---|---|---|
| Highlighted points ★ | Names of the Details field, one per line or separated by ";" (case and accents ignored) | **empty** |
| Color (empty = point color) | Color of the highlighted points | **empty** |
| Other points in gray | The other points turn gray | **On** / Off |
| Other points opacity (%) | The other points fade | 5 to 100, **35** |
| Label highlighted points | Their name is always written | **On** / Off |

### Zoom

This card sets mouse zoom in the plot area.

| Setting | What it does | Possible values (default in **bold**) |
|---|---|---|
| X axis zoom slider | Bar below the X axis: drag the window or its handles to zoom | On / **Off** |
| Y axis zoom slider | Bar to the right of the chart, same principle | On / **Off** |
| Shift + drag: zoom into a rectangle | With the Shift key, the drawn rectangle becomes the new view; double-click or the ⟲ button to zoom out | **On** / Off |

Zoom is not saved in the report: every reader starts from the full view.

### Density ★

For large clouds: shows where the points concentrate, with cells that get darker as they hold more points, or with a smooth heat map. Switch in the header.

| Setting | What it does | Possible values (default in **bold**) |
|---|---|---|
| Show ★ | Draws the density | On / **Off** |
| Shape | How the density is drawn | ***Hexagons*** · *Squares* · *Circles (size by count)* · *Continuous (smooth gradient)*: kernel density estimate, no cells · *Contour lines*: curves joining areas of equal density, drawn above the points |
| Points | Where the points go | ***Density under the points*** · *Density instead of the points* (with cells, clicking a cell selects its points; its tooltip gives their count and averages) |
| Cell size (px) (appears if Shape = *Hexagons*, *Squares* or *Circles (size by count)*) | Size of a cell | 4 to 40, **12** |
| Smoothing (px, 0 = automatic) (appears if Shape = *Continuous (smooth gradient)* or *Contour lines*) | Radius of the smoothing; automatic = computed from the spread and the number of points | 0 to 120, **0** |
| Number of contour lines (appears if Shape = *Contour lines*) | Number of curves | 2 to 15, **6** |
| Colors | Density colors | ***Style gradient*** · *One color* |
| Color (empty = accent) (appears if Colors = *One color*) | Density color, more or less transparent depending on the number of points | **empty** |
| Opacity (%) | Transparency | 10 to 100, **75** |

### Marginal distributions ★

Distribution of X above the chart and of Y on its right. Switch in the header.

| Setting | What it does | Possible values (default in **bold**) |
|---|---|---|
| Show ★ | Draws the distributions | On / **Off** |
| Type | Shape | ***Histogram*** · *Box plot* (median, quartiles, extreme values) |
| Number of bins (appears if Marginal distributions ★ › Type = *Histogram*) | Number of bars | 5 to 60, **20** |
| One per series | One distribution per legend color | **On** / Off |
| Height (px) | Room taken by each distribution | 20 to 160, **44** |

### Small multiples ★

This card shows when the **Small multiples ★** field is filled.

| Setting | What it does | Possible values (default in **bold**) |
|---|---|---|
| Columns (0 = automatic) | Number of small clouds per row | 0 to 12, **0** |
| Minimum chart height (px) | Below it, the grid scrolls vertically | 60 to 600, **120** |
| Spacing (px) | Space between two small clouds | 0 to 60, **12** |
| Title size | Size of each small cloud's name | 6 to 24, **10** |
| Frame around each chart | Draws a thin frame | On / **Off** |

### Playback

This card (formerly "Play axis") sets the player when a field is placed in **Play axis**: points move from one value to the next. A free feature, as in the native scatter chart.

| Setting | What it does | Possible values (default in **bold**) |
|---|---|---|
| Frame shown on opening | Date shown before any playback | ***The last one (most recent)*** · *The first one* |
| Duration of a frame (ms) | Time spent on each date while playing | 200 to 5000, **1000** |
| Loop | After the last date, playback starts again at the first one | On / **Off** |
| Play automatically on opening | Playback starts by itself (except when Windows asks to reduce motion) | On / **Off** |
| Play bar | Shows the ▶ button, the slider and the date | **On** / Off |
| Current value in the background | Writes the date in large faint text in the chart | **On** / Off |
| Background value size (appears if Current value in the background is on) | Size of that text | 12 to 160, **44** |
| Trails | Path traveled by the points up to the current date | ***Selected points*** · *None* · *All points ★* |
| Trail style | What shows the path of the selected points | ***Lines*** · *Density ★*: a heat map of every position of the point over all dates, under the points (one per series when several points are selected) · *Lines and density ★* |

### Interactions

The **Interactions** card has the settings shared by all visuals (**Highlight on hover**, **Dimmed items opacity (%)**, see [the shared basics](/en/tutorials/bien-demarrer-visuels-plume)) and adds these:

| Setting | What it does | Possible values (default in **bold**) |
|---|---|---|
| Select by drawing a rectangle | Drag the mouse over the chart: every point in the rectangle is selected and filters the report (Ctrl to add) | **On** / Off |
| Selection shape (appears if Select by drawing a rectangle is on) | Shape drawn with the mouse | ***Rectangle*** · *Lasso (freehand)* |
| Density around the selection | When points are selected, a heat map is drawn under the cloud, in the color of each series | ***None*** · *Points of the same series ★* · *Selected points ★* |

### Reference lines ★

Up to three lines and a band, horizontal or vertical. The **Line 1**, **Line 2** and **Line 3** groups have the same 11 settings; only the default **Value** changes (*Average*, *Constant*, *Median*).

| Setting | What it does | Possible values (default in **bold**) |
|---|---|---|
| Show | Draws the line | On / **Off** |
| Axis | Axis the line is placed on | ***Y axis (horizontal)*** · *X axis (vertical)* |
| Value | How the line is computed, on the values of the chosen axis | *Constant* · *Average* · *Median* · *Minimum* · *Maximum* · *Percentile* · *“Reference X” or “Reference Y” field*; default: **Average** (line 1), **Constant** (line 2), **Median** (line 3) |
| Constant value (appears if Value = *Constant*) | Line value, in the unit of the measure | **0** |
| Percentile (appears if Value = *Percentile*) | Wanted percentile (90 = 90% of points below) | 1 to 99, **90** |
| Label | Text written on the line | **empty** |
| Show the value | Adds the value to the label | **On** / Off |
| Color (empty = accent) | Line color | **empty** |
| Line style | How the line is drawn | *Solid* · ***Dashed*** · *Dotted* |
| Width | Width | 0.5 to 6, **1.5** |
| Label position | Label location | ***End*** · *Start* · *None* |

**Reference band group**

| Setting | What it does | Possible values (default in **bold**) |
|---|---|---|
| Show | Draws a colored band between two values (target zone) | On / **Off** |
| Axis | Axis of the band | ***Y axis*** · *X axis* |
| From | Low value of the band | **0** |
| To | High value of the band | **0** |
| Label | Band text | **empty** |
| Color (empty = accent) | Color | **empty** |
| Opacity (%) | Transparency | 2 to 60, **12** |

### Trend ★

A regression line or curve (least squares) that sums up the relationship between X and Y. (switch in the header)

| Setting | What it does | Possible values (default in **bold**) |
|---|---|---|
| Show | Draws the trend | On / **Off** |
| Model | Shape of the curve | ***Linear*** · *Polynomial (degree 2)* · *Polynomial (degree 3)* · *Exponential* (Y > 0) · *Logarithmic* (X > 0) · *Power* (X and Y > 0) |
| One trend per series | One curve per Legend value (or per automatic cluster) rather than one for all points | On / **Off** |
| Show R² | Writes R²: from 0 (no relationship) to 1 (points exactly on the curve) | **On** / Off |
| Show the equation | Writes the equation of the curve (y = 0.0021x + 0.29…) | On / **Off** |
| 95% band | Uncertainty area around the curve | ***None*** · *Confidence (the curve)*: where the true trend lies · *Prediction (the points)*: where a new point will fall |
| Band opacity (%) | Strength of the band | 3 to 60, **14** |
| Color (empty = text or series) | Color | **empty** |
| Line style | How it is drawn | *Solid* · ***Dashed*** · *Dotted* |
| Width | Width | 0.5 to 6, **1.5** |

### Symmetry and ratio ★

To compare two measures in the same unit (planned and actual, 2024 and 2025). (two groups, each with its switch)

**Symmetry shading group**

| Setting | What it does | Possible values (default in **bold**) |
|---|---|---|
| Show | Tints the two areas separated by the y = x diagonal: above it, Y is greater than X | On / **Off** |
| Color where Y > X (empty = favorable) | Tint of the upper area | **empty** |
| Color where Y < X (empty = unfavorable) | Tint of the lower zone | **empty** |
| Opacity (%) | Strength of the tints | 2 to 40, **8** |
| Text where Y > X | Text written in the area | **empty** ("Y > X") |
| Text where Y < X | Text written in the zone | **empty** ("Y < X") |
| y = x diagonal | Draws the diagonal | **On** / Off |

**Ratio line group**

| Setting | What it does | Possible values (default in **bold**) |
|---|---|---|
| Show | Line from zero whose slope is the ratio | On / **Off** |
| Slope | How the slope is computed | ***Total Y ÷ total X*** (like Power BI) · *Fixed value* |
| Fixed slope (appears if Slope = *Fixed value*) | Wanted slope | **1** |
| Color (empty = accent) | Line color | **empty** |
| Line style | How the line is drawn | *Solid* · ***Dashed*** · *Dotted* |
| Show the slope | Writes "Ratio = …" at the end of the line | **On** / Off |

### Slope lines y = a·x ★

**Analytics** pane: up to three sloped lines y = a·x + b, for example yields of 3%, 5% and 7% (Y = 5% of X) or a target margin rate. The **Line 1**, **Line 2** and **Line 3** groups have the same settings; only the default slope changes (0.03, 0.05, 0.07). The slope can also be driven by a measure: **Dynamic format** field, measure renamed `slopes.a1` (or `a2`, `a3`). The lines are also drawn correctly on a logarithmic axis.

| Setting | What it does | Possible values (default in **bold**) |
|---|---|---|
| Show | Draws the line | On / **Off** |
| Slope a (y = a·x + b) | Slope of the line: 0.05 = Y is 5% of X | default: **0.03** (line 1), **0.05** (line 2), **0.07** (line 3) |
| Intercept b | Value of Y when X is 0 (0 = the line goes through the origin) | **0** |
| Label | Text written on the line; empty = automatic label ("y = 5% · x") | **empty** |
| Color (empty = secondary text) | Line color | **empty** |
| Line style | Look of the line | *Solid* · ***Dashed*** · *Dotted* |
| Width | Width | 0.5 to 6, **1.5** |
| Label position | Label location | ***End*** · *Start* · *None* |

### Confidence ellipses ★

The area that holds most of the points of each series (normal distribution). (switch in the header)

| Setting | What it does | Possible values (default in **bold**) |
|---|---|---|
| Show | Draws the ellipses | On / **Off** |
| Level | Share of points expected inside the ellipse | *68%* · *90%* · ***95%*** · *99%* |
| One per series (or per group) | One ellipse per legend series, or per automatic cluster; otherwise a single one | **On** / Off |
| Fill opacity (%) | Strength of the fill | 0 to 50, **8** |
| Line style | How the outline is drawn | ***Solid*** · *Dashed* · *Dotted* |

### Automatic clusters ★

The visual groups points that are close to each other (k-means) and colors each group; the legend becomes "Cluster 1 (12)", "Cluster 2 (8)"… Clicking a cluster in the legend selects all its points. (switch in the header)

| Setting | What it does | Possible values (default in **bold**) |
|---|---|---|
| Show | Computes and colors the clusters | On / **Off** |
| Number of clusters (0 = automatic) | 0: the visual picks the number that best separates the points | 0 to 10, **0** |
| Put X and Y on the same scale | Recommended when X and Y have different units (orders and dollars) | **On** / Off |
| Mark the centers | Numbered cross at the center of each cluster | **On** / Off |
| Cluster name | Replaces "Cluster" in the legend and the tooltip | **empty** ("Cluster") |

## Premium ★ features of this visual

| Feature | Where to set it |
|---|---|
| Named and tinted quadrants, split by a field, point count, colored points | **Quadrants ★ › Show ★** |
| Color by Y, X, size or the Color field (number) | **Data colors › Coloring**: *Gradient by a value ★*, then **Gradient value**; or a number in the **Color** field |
| Reference lines on X or Y (including the Reference field), band | **Analytics** pane **› Reference lines ★** |
| Linear, polynomial, exponential, logarithmic or power trend, equation, R², 95% band | **Analytics** pane **› Trend ★** |
| Sloped lines y = a·x + b (yields, target rates) | **Analytics** pane **› Slope lines y = a·x ★** |
| Symmetry shading, ratio line | **Analytics** pane **› Symmetry and ratio ★** |
| Confidence ellipses | **Analytics** pane **› Confidence ellipses ★** |
| Automatic clusters (k-means) | **Analytics** pane **› Automatic clusters ★** |
| One small cloud per value | **Small multiples ★** field |
| Highlighted points, the others in gray | **Highlight ★**, or the **Highlight ★** field |
| Density: hexagons, squares, circles, continuous, contour lines | **Density ★** |
| An image (flag, logo) inside each point | **Image ★** field |
| Trail density, density around the selection | **Playback › Trail style**; **Interactions › Density around the selection** |
| Marginal histograms or box plots | **Marginal distributions ★** |
| Points connected in the order of the Details field | **Points › Connect points ★** |
| Trails of all points | **Playback › Trails** = *All points ★* |
| 17 styles (out of 20), advanced gradient palettes, JSON theme | **Style** |

Nothing is blocked: without a key, a ★ feature works normally and shows a discreet watermark; see [Getting started with Plume visuals](/en/tutorials/bien-demarrer-visuels-plume) for licensing and [pricing](/en/pricing).

## Learn more

- [Getting started with Scatter Plume](/en/tutorials/nuage-de-points-quadrants): the data to prepare and a first visual, step by step.
- [Scatter Plume how-to guides](/en/tutorials/scatter-plume-cas-pratiques): recipes for common needs.
- [Getting started with Plume visuals](/en/tutorials/bien-demarrer-visuels-plume): installation, license, styles and shared settings.
- The visual's page: [Scatter Plume](/en/visuals/scatter-chart). A question? [Support](/en/support).