How to Create a Combo Chart in Excel Quickly

To create a combo chart in Excel, select your data, go to the Insert tab, and choose Combo Chart from the chart options. Then, assign different chart types (like column and line) to each data series to visualize them together.

Syntax

Creating a combo chart in Excel involves these steps:

• Select Data: Highlight the data range you want to chart.
• Insert Combo Chart: Go to the Insert tab, click Insert Combo Chart in the Charts group.
• Choose Chart Types: Assign a chart type (e.g., column, line) to each data series.
• Set Axis: Optionally assign series to primary or secondary axis for better clarity.

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1. Select your data range.
2. Click Insert > Combo Chart > Custom Combination Chart.
3. For each series, pick a chart type (e.g., Column, Line).
4. Choose if a series uses Primary or Secondary Axis.
5. Click OK to insert the combo chart.

Example

This example shows how to create a combo chart with sales data where 'Units Sold' is a column chart and 'Revenue' is a line chart on a secondary axis.

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Month	Units Sold	Revenue
Jan	100	2000
Feb	150	3000
Mar	120	2500

Steps:
1. Select A1:C4 (including headers).
2. Go to Insert > Combo Chart > Custom Combination Chart.
3. Set 'Units Sold' as Column chart on Primary Axis.
4. Set 'Revenue' as Line chart on Secondary Axis.
5. Click OK.

Output

A combo chart appears showing columns for Units Sold and a line for Revenue on the right vertical axis.

Common Pitfalls

• Not selecting the correct data range: This can cause missing or extra data in the chart.
• Forgetting to assign secondary axis: When data scales differ greatly, not using a secondary axis can make one series hard to see.
• Choosing incompatible chart types: Some chart types don’t combine well visually.
• Not labeling axes: This can confuse viewers about what each series represents.

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Wrong way:
- Assign both series to primary axis when scales differ.

Right way:
- Assign one series to secondary axis for clarity.

Quick Reference

Step	Action
1	Select your data range including headers
2	Go to Insert tab > Combo Chart > Custom Combination Chart
3	Choose chart type for each data series
4	Assign series to Primary or Secondary Axis as needed
5	Click OK to create the combo chart

Key Takeaways

Select your data and use Insert > Combo Chart to start creating a combo chart.

Assign different chart types to each data series for clear comparison.

Use secondary axis when data series have different scales.

Label your axes to avoid confusion.

Check your data range carefully before creating the chart.