Lollipop Plot

A lollipop plot combines a thin stem with a marker at each value, making ordered comparisons lighter than a filled bar chart.

Prepare a directly mappable table

Use ordered or categorical positions with one or more numeric value series, especially when the marker values deserve more emphasis than filled area.

Prepare an X or category column and one or more numeric value columns. Optional error columns can be mapped when uncertainty is available.

Choose vertical or horizontal stems, map a shared X or paired X-Y structure, and connect each value to the selected baseline.

Step 1

Confirm the data range, then choose a new figure or add the plot to an existing figure.

Lollipop Plot setupInterface preview · non-interactive

MenuPlot → Lollipop Plot

Data range

Full table: 5 rows, 3 columns

Output

New figure

Add to existing figure

Lollipop Plot setupInterface preview · non-interactive

X column

sample · X

Value column

value · Y

Error bars

error · Y Error

Step 2

Map X column, Value column, Error bars in order, making sure each selected column has the intended table role.

Step 3

Set Orientation, X mapping for the table structure and confirm that the choices match the intended reading.

Lollipop Plot setupInterface preview · non-interactive

Orientation

VerticalHorizontal

X mapping

Shared XPaired X-Y

Lollipop Plot setupInterface preview · non-interactive

Connect to zero baseline

Show data markers

Data tableRanked comparison practice data

Mapped columns3

Step 4

Check Connect to zero baseline, Show data markers, review the mapped-column count, then choose Create figure.

Sort categories when order carries meaning.
Keep the baseline visible and choose a range that does not exaggerate differences.
Use restrained stem widths so markers remain the visual focus.
Check overlap when several series share the same positions.
Use horizontal orientation for long category labels or rank-style comparisons.