Plot Separate X–Y Pairs in One Google Sheets Scatter Chart

To compare two experiments measured at different times, give each series its own X–Y pair: Experiment A’s time and reading, then Experiment B’s time and reading. You do not need to force both experiments onto one list of measurement times.

Google Sheets now supports multiple independent X series in scatter charts. Google announced the feature on July 29, 2026, with Scheduled Release rollout starting August 14. It is available to Workspace customers and personal Google accounts. Older instructions saying every series must share one X column describe the previous limitation. (Google’s announcement)

Arrange the data as separate X–Y pairs

Paste this fictional sample into cells A1:D4:

Time A (min)	Reading A (units)	Time B (min)	Reading B (units)
0	12	0	11
5	18	7	20
10	23	14	28

The intended result is two groups of three points:

• Experiment A: (0, 12), (5, 18), (10, 23).
• Experiment B: (0, 11), (7, 20), (14, 28).

Columns A–B hold Experiment A’s observations; columns C–D hold Experiment B’s. Sharing a spreadsheet row does not mean A and B were measured at the same time.

Use numeric cells for coordinates; put units in headers rather than typing values such as 7 min into the data cells. Both experiments here measure the same variables in the same units, making their coordinates directly comparable.

Create the chart and assign each X range

On a computer:

1. Select A1:D4 and choose Insert > Chart.
2. In the chart editor, open Setup and choose Scatter chart under Chart type.
3. Configure the first axis-and-series set to use A2:A4 for X values and B2:B4 for Y values.
4. Click Add axis & series set. Configure the second set to use C2:C4 for X values and D2:D4 for Y values.
5. Check any automatically assigned series. C is Experiment B’s X input, not another Y series using A’s times. Keep only the intended pairings.
6. Use row 1 as headers so the series have meaningful legend labels.

Google documents chart insertion and the Setup controls in its chart-editing guide. Its scatter-chart help identifies Add axis & series set as the control for adding another set.

For columns outside the selected block, use Setup > Data range and Add another range to include the additional cells. Adding a range includes data; assigning the X–Y pairs determines how those data are plotted. (Google chart-editing help)

Check coordinates before styling

The quickest check is Experiment B’s middle point: it must appear at X = 7, Y = 20, not X = 5. Its final point must appear at X = 14, Y = 28, not X = 10. Those errors would indicate that B is still using A’s X values.

Also verify that:

• Each X range and its Y range cover corresponding observations.
• Both series contain three points in this example.
• The legend identifies A and B clearly.
• Axis titles state Time (min) and Reading (units).
• The axis scales make the comparison clear; if series use different scales, their visual positions are not directly comparable.

Use Customize to edit chart and axis titles, the legend, and point colors. These controls are documented in Google’s scatter-chart guide. Independent X inputs are not a reason to mix unrelated units on an unexplained axis.

If you are moving a workbook between Excel and Sheets, Google says the update preserves multiple-X-series scatter configurations during import and export. Still check the coordinates in the destination file before sharing it. (Compatibility announcement)

Prepare the underlying table for public readers

The four-column layout is convenient for chart setup. For a public dataset, consider a separate table with one observation per row:

Experiment	Time (min)	Reading (units)
A	0	12
A	5	18
A	10	23
B	0	11
B	7	20
B	14	28

This layout makes the experiment label travel with each observation when readers sort or filter the table. Publish the reviewed data alongside the chart, with a source, update date, unit definitions, and any missing-value explanation. Exclude sensitive information from the public copy.

For other chart choices, see how to make a graph in Google Sheets for your goal.