Combo charts in Google Sheets - 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 showing sales numbers as bars and profit margin as a line on the same chart.

When you want to compare sales volume and profit margin side by side in one chart.

When you have data with different units, like revenue in dollars and number of customers.

When you want to highlight trends with a line chart while showing actual values with bars.

When you want to combine a column chart and a line chart to show two related data sets.

When you want to save space by showing multiple data types in one chart instead of separate charts.

Steps

Step 1: Select

- the data range in your sheet that includes all the data you want to chart

The data range is highlighted on the sheet

Step 2: Click

- Insert menu > Chart

A chart appears on the sheet and the Chart editor panel opens on the right

Step 3: In the Chart editor panel, click

- Setup tab > Chart type dropdown

A list of chart types appears

Step 4: Scroll down and select

- "Combo chart" from the chart type list

The chart changes to a combo chart showing your data

Step 5: Click

- Customize tab > Series section

Options to customize each data series appear

Step 6: For each data series, select

- the chart type (Column, Line, Area, etc.) from the dropdown

Each series changes to the selected chart type on the combo chart

💡 Use line for trends and columns for actual values to make the chart easy to read

Step 7: Adjust

- other settings like axis, colors, and labels in the Customize tab

The chart updates with your custom styles

Before vs After

Before

A default column chart showing sales and profit data both as columns

After

A combo chart showing sales as columns and profit margin as a line on the same chart

Settings Reference

Chart type

📍 Chart editor panel > Setup tab > Chart type dropdown

Choose the overall chart style, including combo charts that mix types

Default: Column chart

Series chart type

📍 Chart editor panel > Customize tab > Series section > Series dropdown > Type

Set the chart type for each data series in the combo chart

Default: Column

Axis assignment

📍 Chart editor panel > Customize tab > Series section > Axis

Assign series to left or right vertical axis for better scale comparison

Default: Left axis

Colors

📍 Chart editor panel > Customize tab > Series section > Color picker

Change the color of each data series for clarity and style

Default: Automatic

Common Mistakes

Not selecting 'Combo chart' as the chart type

The chart will not mix different chart types and will show all data as one type

Always choose 'Combo chart' from the chart type list to combine chart types

Using the same chart type for all series in a combo chart

This defeats the purpose of a combo chart and can confuse the viewer

Assign different chart types (like line and column) to different series for clarity

Not assigning series to the correct axis when scales differ

Data with different scales can be hard to compare if on the same axis

Use the right axis for series with different units or scales

Summary

Combo charts let you show different chart types together to compare data clearly.

Use the Chart editor to select 'Combo chart' and customize each series type.

Assign series to left or right axis to handle different data scales well.