Reference Lines
The scatter plot supports analytics lines on both axes. Unlike standard Power BI visuals, which allow adding multiple instances of each line type, custom visuals are limited by the API to one instance per line type. To compensate, the SDM Scatter Plot offers a Both axis option that draws the same statistic on both X and Y axes simultaneously.
- X Constant Line / Y Constant Line — User-defined constant values
- Min Line, Max Line, Median Line, Average Line — Each with an axis choice: X Axis, Y Axis, or Both
- Symmetry Shading — Highlights the area where Y > X or Y < X
- Ratio Line — Draws the Y = X diagonal
Select Both on the Average Line to draw a crosshair at the center of mass of the data distribution. The same style, color, and shade settings apply to both the vertical and horizontal lines.
Reference lines, symmetry shading and the ratio line require a numeric scale. A line on a categorical axis is automatically skipped, and symmetry shading / the ratio line (which are inherently X = Y diagonals) are disabled when either axis carries categories.
Common Properties
Each reference line has:
| Property | Description |
|---|---|
| Show | Toggle the line on/off |
| Measure | X Axis, Y Axis, or Both (stat lines only) |
| Line Color | Color of the line |
| Transparency | Line opacity (0–100%) |
| Line Style | Solid, Dashed, Dotted |
| Width | Line thickness (px) |
| Position | In Front or Behind the points |
Shade Area
Each reference line can optionally shade the area on one side:
| Property | Description |
|---|---|
| Shade Area | Enable area shading |
| Position | Before or After the line |
| Match Line Color | Use the line color for shading |
| Shade Color | Custom shade color |
| Transparency | Shade opacity |
Analytics lines are particularly useful on scatter plots to define quadrants (using X and Y constant lines), highlight performance thresholds, or identify the center of mass of the data distribution.