A bubble chart extends a scatter chart with a third dimension — the size of each bubble, so it shows the relationship between two variables while a third (market share, revenue, population) is encoded as bubble area. Ampler Charts builds it natively in PowerPoint; it is a scatter chart with a size value added to each point.
Quick answer: Click Ampler Charts and select Bubble, drag the chart to size, then enter your data — each bubble has an X value, a Y value and a size value.
How to create it
A bubble chart adds a third variable as the size of each point.
- Click Ampler Charts in the ribbon and select Bubble from the chart menu.
- Left-click and drag the chart to the size you want — or hold Ctrl to place it in a pre-defined position.
- Enter your data in the data sheet: each bubble has an X value, a Y value and a size value.
When to use it
Use a bubble chart when a third numeric variable adds real meaning to a scatter — for example growth versus margin with bubble size for revenue, the classic portfolio or growth–share map. If there is no meaningful third variable, use a scatter chart instead — the size just adds clutter.
How consultants use it
The bubble chart is the consultant’s portfolio and market map. A few practices apply:
- Add the third variable only if it earns its place: size should carry real meaning — revenue, market size, headcount — not decoration
- Scale by area, not diameter: a value twice as large should have twice the bubble area, so the eye reads magnitude correctly
- Give size a legend and use quadrants: label what the size means, and split into a 2×2 for a growth–share or prioritisation map
A bubble chart maps three variables at once — ideal for a portfolio or market view when the third dimension matters.
Tips & best practices
- Scale bubbles by area, not diameter, so a double value looks double, not quadruple.
- Add a legend for what the bubble size represents.
- Keep the number of bubbles low and label the ones that matter.
What you can add to this chart
Decorators and elements you can layer onto a bubble chart in Ampler Charts:
- Add a trendline
- Add reference lines
- Add a 2×2 or 3×3 matrix
- Add an ROS/RMS band
- Add a bubble size legend
- Add value, text and size labels
Availability
Part of Ampler Charts, included in Ampler for PowerPoint and the Ampler Suite, on Windows desktop PowerPoint.
Frequently asked questions
What is a bubble chart?
A bubble chart is a scatter chart with a third variable: each bubble is placed by its X and Y values, and its size (area) encodes a third numeric value such as revenue or market share.
How do you make a bubble chart in PowerPoint?
In Ampler Charts, click Ampler Charts, select Bubble, drag it to size, then enter an X, a Y and a size value for each bubble.
What’s the difference between a bubble and a scatter chart?
A scatter chart shows two variables; a bubble chart adds a third as the size of each point — use it only when that third variable is meaningful.
When should you use a bubble chart?
When a third numeric variable adds real context to a two-variable relationship — classically a portfolio or growth–share map.