Step-by-Step Guide: Crafting an Effective Combination Chart Using Microsoft Excel

Quick Links

• Insert a Combo Chart with a Single Axis
• Insert a Combo Chart with Two Axes
• Change an Existing Chart to a Combo Chart

A combo chart in Excel displays two chart types (such as column and line) on the same chart. They are used to show different types of information on a single chart, such as actuals against a target.

In this article, we’ll demonstrate how to make a combo chart that follows the same axis and one that displays mixed types of data in a single chart on a different axis.

Insert a Combo Chart with a Single Axis

In the first example, we will create a combo chart to show monthly revenue against a target using the sample data below.

You can see that the target value is the same each month. The result will show the data as a straight line.

To get started, select the range of cells you want to chart—A1:C13 in this example. Next, click Insert > Insert Combo Chart. Select “Clustered Column - Line.”

The combo chart is inserted with both the column and line using the same axis. Easy as that!

You can make further improvements to the chart now, like changing the chart title. Click on the chart title box and start typing to replace the words “Chart Title” with something more useful. As you type, the text will appear in the formula bar above.

Press the Enter key, and Excel saves the typed text as the chart title.

Insert a Combo Chart with Two Axes

Using the sample data shown below, let’s create a combo chart to show the monthly revenue and the ad budget on the same chart.

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Select range A1:C13. Click Insert > Combo Chart. Choose the “Clustered Column - Line on Secondary Axis” chart.

The inserted chart looks like this.

Change an Existing Chart to a Combo Chart

We have looked at two examples of creating a combo chart from spreadsheet data, but knowing how to edit an existing chart can also be useful.

Below is a clustered column chart created from the revenue and ad budget data.

Click here

The chart has one axis, and you can barely see the ad budget columns on the chart. Let's change this to a combo chart by creating a secondary axis for the ad budget data and changing its chart type to a line.

To begin, right-click on the data series you want to change (ad budget in this example). Next, select “Change Series Chart Type.”

Now, check the “Secondary Axis” box for the data series you want to create an axis for. Select Line from the “Chart Type” list for that data series.

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The chart is changed to a combo chart.

You can then make other improvements to the combo chart, such as editing the chart title or labeling the axis.