Combo charts in Excel - Step-by-Step Guide

Introduction

Combo charts let you show two or more types of charts together in one view. This helps compare different kinds of data clearly, like sales numbers and profit percentages on the same chart.

When you want to show sales as bars and profit margin as a line on the same chart.

When comparing two data sets with very different scales, like revenue and number of customers.

When you want to highlight trends and exact values together in one chart.

When you need to combine a column chart with a line chart to make data easier to understand.

When presenting data to people who prefer visual comparisons of different data types.

Steps

Step 1: Select the data range you want to chart

- Excel worksheet

The cells with your data are highlighted

💡 Include headers for better chart labels

Step 2: Click the Insert tab

- Ribbon at the top of Excel

Insert options appear below the ribbon

Step 3: Click the Recommended Charts button

- Charts group on the Insert tab

A dialog box with chart options opens

Step 4: Select the Combo tab in the dialog box

- Insert Chart dialog box

Combo chart options appear

Step 5: Choose chart types for each data series from the dropdowns

- Combo chart options in the dialog box

Each data series is assigned a chart type like Column or Line

Step 6: Check the Secondary Axis box for data series with different scales

- Combo chart options next to each data series

Selected data series will use a second vertical axis on the right

Step 7: Click OK

- Insert Chart dialog box

Combo chart appears on the worksheet showing combined chart types

Before vs After

Before

Data table with monthly sales and profit margin percentages in columns

After

Combo chart showing sales as columns and profit margin as a line with a secondary axis

Settings Reference

Chart Type for Each Series

📍 Insert Chart dialog box > Combo tab

Choose how each data series is displayed visually

Default: Column

Secondary Axis

📍 Insert Chart dialog box > Combo tab next to each series

Use a second vertical axis for data series with different value ranges

Default: Unchecked

Chart Title

📍 Chart Tools > Design tab > Chart Layouts group

Add or remove a title to describe the chart

Default: Above Chart

Common Mistakes

Not using the secondary axis for data series with very different scales

The smaller scale data becomes hard to see or compare on the same axis

Check the Secondary Axis box for the data series with smaller or larger values

Selecting incompatible chart types for combo charts

Some chart types do not combine well and can confuse the viewer

Use common combinations like Column and Line charts for clarity

Summary

Combo charts combine two or more chart types to show different data sets together.

Use the Insert > Recommended Charts > Combo tab to create them easily.

Remember to use the secondary axis for data series with different scales.

Practice

1. What is the main purpose of a Combo Chart in Excel?

easy

A. To display data in a pie chart format

B. To combine two or more different chart types in one chart

C. To create a chart with only one data series

D. To sort data automatically in a table

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand what a combo chart is

   A combo chart combines different chart types like column and line in one chart to show related data.

2. Step 2: Identify the correct purpose

   Since combo charts mix chart types to compare data sets, To combine two or more different chart types in one chart matches this purpose.

3. Final Answer:

   To combine two or more different chart types in one chart -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Combo chart = mix chart types [OK]

Hint: Combo charts mix chart types to compare data sets [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking combo charts only show one data series
• Confusing combo charts with pie charts
• Assuming combo charts sort data automatically

2. Which Excel menu path correctly leads you to create a combo chart?

easy

A. Data > Sort & Filter

B. Formulas > Insert Function

C. Insert > Combo Chart

D. Review > Protect Sheet

Solution

1. Step 1: Recall where combo charts are created

   Combo charts are created from the Insert tab in Excel, under the Combo Chart option.

2. Step 2: Match the correct menu path

   Insert > Combo Chart shows the correct path: Insert > Combo Chart.

3. Final Answer:

   Insert > Combo Chart -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Insert tab > Combo Chart [OK]

Hint: Combo charts are under Insert tab in Excel [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Looking under Data or Formulas tabs
• Confusing chart creation with sorting or filtering
• Trying to find combo charts in Review tab

3. Given sales data for two products over 3 months, which combo chart type best shows Product A as columns and Product B as a line?

medium

A. Column for Product A and Line for Product B

B. Pie chart for both products

C. Line chart for Product A and Pie chart for Product B

D. Scatter plot for both products

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand combo chart types

   Combo charts combine different chart types, like columns and lines, to compare data sets clearly.

2. Step 2: Match chart types to products

   Product A as columns and Product B as a line fits Column for Product A and Line for Product B. Pie and scatter charts do not combine well here.

3. Final Answer:

   Column for Product A and Line for Product B -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Combo chart = column + line [OK]

Hint: Use column + line combo to compare two products [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Choosing pie charts which can't combine well
• Using scatter plots which don't show trends clearly
• Mixing line with pie charts incorrectly

4. You created a combo chart but the line series is not showing. What is the most likely error?

medium

A. The line series is not assigned to the secondary axis

B. The data range is empty

C. The chart type is set to pie for all series

D. The worksheet is protected

Solution

1. Step 1: Check combo chart setup

   In combo charts, line series often need to be on the secondary axis to display properly.

2. Step 2: Identify the missing line issue

   If the line series is not assigned to the secondary axis, it may not appear correctly, causing it to be invisible.

3. Final Answer:

   The line series is not assigned to the secondary axis -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Line series needs secondary axis [OK]

Hint: Assign line series to secondary axis to show it [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming empty data range is the cause without checking axis
• Setting all series to pie chart type
• Thinking worksheet protection hides chart series

5. You want to create a combo chart showing monthly revenue as columns and profit margin as a line on a secondary axis. Which steps should you follow?

hard

A. Select data > Data tab > Sort by revenue and profit margin

B. Select data > Insert > Pie Chart > Add profit margin as line

C. Select data > Insert > Line Chart > Change revenue to pie chart

D. Select data > Insert > Combo Chart > Set revenue as column, profit margin as line on secondary axis

Solution

1. Step 1: Choose correct chart insertion method

   Use Insert > Combo Chart to combine column and line charts for different data series.

2. Step 2: Assign chart types and axes

   Set revenue as columns and profit margin as line, assigning profit margin to the secondary axis for clarity.

3. Final Answer:

   Select data > Insert > Combo Chart > Set revenue as column, profit margin as line on secondary axis -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Combo chart with secondary axis for line [OK]

Hint: Use combo chart and assign line to secondary axis [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using pie charts which can't combine with lines
• Trying to sort data instead of creating chart
• Mixing chart types incorrectly