When you create a regular chart in Excel, it usually has only one X-axis and one Y-axis. But with combination charts, you can have two Y-axis, which allows you to have two different type of data points in the same chart. For example, you may be interested in plotting the annual revenue numbers of a company, and at the same time, also be able to show how the profit margin has changed. A combination chart (as shown below) is a good way of doing this in Excel.
You can see that a revenue number are in thousands and are way higher than the profit margin numbers (which is in %). By adding a secondary Y-axis, we can plot the profit margin numbers separately (and still be able to plot both in the same chart).
Creating a Combination Chart in Excel 2013/2016
Suppose I have the data set as shown below and I want to plot both the revenue and profit margin numbers in the same chart.
To create this combination chart, I first need to create a regular chart where I have all the above data plotted on it. Below are the steps to create a regular chart using the above data (the snapshots are of Excel 2016): The above steps would give you a chart that has revenue and profit margin plotted as a clustered column chart. If you can’t see the Profit Margin bar in the chart, it’s because the value of Profit Margin is very less as compared to the Revenue value (but it’s there as we can see it’s listed in the legend in orange color).
Now to create a combination chart from this clustered column chart, follow the below steps: The above steps would give you the combination chart (also called combo chart) as shown below.
You can now further customize the chart (such as change the title, remove the grid lines, etc.) Another good use case of creating combination charts is when you have to show actual vs target values in the same chart. You can create a simple clustered column chart, or create something more fancy by converting one bar into markers. Click here to read how to create an Actual vs Target combination charts in Excel.
Creating Combination Charts in Excel 2010
While the first part of creating a chart is the same in all versions of Excel, converting that chart into a combination chart is done a bit differently in Excel 2010. Below are the steps to convert a regular clustered column chart into a combo chart in Excel 2010:
Creating Combination charts using Checkboxes. Creating Actual vs Target Chart in Excel. How to Make a Histogram in Excel. Creating a Pareto Chart in Excel. How to Make a Bell Curve in Excel. Excel Sparklines – A Complete Guide Area Chart in Excel. Add a Trendline in Excel Charts.
