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Preparing Your Data

Quantum XL is flexible about data layout. This page explains how different data types behave in dot plots and helps you prepare your data correctly.

How Data Types Work

The table below shows what happens when you assign each column type to each role in the Dot Plot dialog. Click a numbered badge to see an example using that configuration.

		Data Column
		Nominal	Continuous	Integer	Count	DateTime
Frequency Column	None	Not Allowed	Each value plotted as a dot, stacked vertically at same values. One chart per column, aligned vertically sharing the same X-axis. 12	Each value plotted as a dot, stacked vertically at same values. One chart per column, aligned vertically sharing the same X-axis.	Each value plotted as a dot, stacked vertically at same values. One chart per column, aligned vertically sharing the same X-axis.	Each value plotted as a dot, stacked vertically at same values. One chart per column, aligned vertically sharing the same X-axis.
	Nominal	—
	Continuous	—
	Integer	—
	Count	Not Allowed	Expand dataset by count 3	Expand dataset by count	Expand dataset by count	Expand dataset by count
	DateTime	—

— indicates this frequency type is not available for selection

Examples

1 Quick Start — Single data column, plotting all values

2 Multiple Data Columns — Compare distributions across several columns

3 Count Frequency — Pre-aggregated data expanded by count

GroupBy — Compare segments side by side

Data Layout Options

Raw Data (One Row Per Observation)

Best for most situations. Each row represents a single measurement or observation.

Temperature
72.3
73.1
72.5
74.0

Each row is one data point, plotted as a single dot. When you select multiple data columns, each column gets its own dot plot, stacked vertically and sharing the same X-axis.

Pre-Aggregated Data (With Frequency Counts)

Use when your data has already been summarized with counts.

Value	Frequency
30.0	15
32.5	10
35.0	7

Select Value as Data Column and Frequency as Frequency Data. Quantum XL expands the dataset — a row with frequency 15 is treated as 15 observations of that value. The chart reflects the expanded dataset, not the number of rows.

Common Mistakes

Avoid These Issues

• Selecting a Nominal column as data — Dot plots require numeric data (Continuous, Integer, Count, or DateTime). Nominal columns cannot be used as data columns. Use Nominal columns for GroupBy instead.
• Forgetting that frequency expands the dataset — When using a Count frequency column, the chart reflects the expanded dataset (sum of all frequencies), not the number of rows in your spreadsheet. This is correct — the dots are plotted based on the expanded data.
• Missing data — Empty cells in data columns are excluded from analysis.