How to create combination charts and add secondary axis for it in Excel?
In Excel, we always need to create charts comparing different types of data. There are several chart types we can use, such as column, bar, line, pie, scatter chart and so on. Sometimes it's necessary to plot two or more sets of values to show multiple types of data, such as a column chart and a line graph. In this case, you can create a combination chart which is to combine two different charts to make one (see following screenshots). Today, I will talk about how to create combination charts and add a secondary axis as well in Excel.
Create combination charts in Excel
Add a secondary axis for the combination charts
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Create combination charts in Excel
Supposing you have the following two data sources, you can create combination charts based on the data source with these steps:
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1. First, we can create a column chart for the first Area data source, please select the data range and then specify a column type chart under Insert tab, and then a column chart will be created as following screenshots shown:
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2. Then select the Total Price data range, press Ctrl + C to copy it and then click any column in the above column chart, press Ctrl + V to paste the data into the chart. Now we have a column chart with two data sets (Area and Total Price), both charted using the same chart type. See screenshot:
3. In this step, we need to change one of the data sets to a line chart. Please click red bar Total Price data column in the chart, and right click, then choose Change Series Chart Type from the context menu, see screenshot:
4. In the Change Chart Type dialog, select one line chart type as you need, see screenshot:
5. Then click OK button, and now you have a chart with two chart types as following screenshot shows:
Note: With repeating above steps, you can combine more than two chat types, you just need to select the additional data sets and choose a different chart for each data series.
Add a secondary axis for the combination charts
Sometimes, in a combination chart, the values of one data set vary widely from another, so it is difficult for us to compare the data from the chart. To make the chart easier to read, Excel allows us to add a secondary axis for the chart, here’s how you add a secondary axis for the combination chart in Excel.
1. In the combination chart, click the line chart, and right click or double click, then choose Format Data Series from the text menu, see screenshot:
2. In the Format Data Series dialog, click Series Options option, and check Secondary Axis, see screenshot:
3. Then click Close button, and you have successfully added a secondary axis to your chart as following screenshot:
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How to add a horizontal average line to chart in Excel?
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