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.

Practice

1. What is the main purpose of a combo chart in Google Sheets?

easy

A. To show only pie charts in one graph

B. To combine different chart types to display multiple data sets together

C. To create a chart with only one data series

D. To display data without any axes

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand what a combo chart is

   A combo chart mixes different chart types like bars and lines in one chart to compare data sets.

2. Step 2: Identify the main use

   This helps show multiple data sets with different units or scales clearly together.

3. Final Answer:

   To combine different chart types to display multiple data sets together -> 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 show only one data series
• Confusing combo charts with pie charts
• Assuming combo charts have no axes

2. Which of the following is the correct way to change a series type in a combo chart in Google Sheets?

easy

A. Right-click the series, select 'Change chart type', then pick the new type

B. Double-click the chart title and type the series name

C. Delete the series and add a new chart

D. Use the formula bar to type the series type

Solution

1. Step 1: Locate how to edit series in combo chart

   In Google Sheets, you right-click the series or use the chart editor to change series type.

2. Step 2: Confirm correct method

   Choosing 'Change chart type' for the series lets you pick bar, line, or other types.

3. Final Answer:

   Right-click the series, select 'Change chart type', then pick the new type -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Change series type via right-click menu [OK]

Hint: Right-click series to change its chart type quickly [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Trying to rename series by editing chart title
• Deleting series instead of changing type
• Using formula bar for chart changes

3. Given a combo chart with two series: Sales (bars) and Profit Margin (line) on the right axis, what will happen if you change Profit Margin to use the left axis instead?

medium

A. Profit Margin values will be scaled with Sales values on the left axis

B. Profit Margin will disappear from the chart

C. Sales will switch to the right axis automatically

D. The chart will show an error and not update

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand axis assignment in combo charts

   Each series can use left or right axis to scale values properly.

2. Step 2: Effect of changing Profit Margin axis

   If Profit Margin moves to left axis, it shares scale with Sales, possibly distorting its visual clarity.

3. Final Answer:

   Profit Margin values will be scaled with Sales values on the left axis -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Changing axis changes value scale [OK]

Hint: Axis choice affects how series values scale visually [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking series will disappear when axis changes
• Assuming other series axis changes automatically
• Expecting error on axis change

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

medium

A. Change the chart title to include the line series name

B. Delete the chart and create a pie chart instead

C. Remove all bars from the chart

D. Check if the line series is assigned to the correct axis and visible

Solution

1. Step 1: Verify series visibility and axis assignment

   Line series may be hidden if assigned to an axis with no data or if its color blends with background.

2. Step 2: Adjust axis or series settings

   Assign line series to the correct axis and ensure it is visible with distinct color.

3. Final Answer:

   Check if the line series is assigned to the correct axis and visible -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Series visibility depends on axis and color [OK]

Hint: Check axis and color if series not visible [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Deleting chart instead of fixing series
• Removing bars unnecessarily
• Changing title expecting series to appear

5. You want to create a combo chart showing monthly revenue as bars and customer satisfaction as a line. Revenue is in dollars, satisfaction is a percentage. How should you set up the axes for best clarity?

hard

A. Assign both revenue and satisfaction to the left axis

B. Assign satisfaction to the left axis and revenue to the right axis

C. Assign revenue to the left axis and satisfaction to the right axis

D. Use only one axis for both, ignoring units

Solution

1. Step 1: Recognize different units for data series

   Revenue is in dollars, satisfaction is a percentage, so they have different scales.

2. Step 2: Assign axes to separate scales

   Assign revenue to left axis and satisfaction to right axis to keep scales clear and readable.

3. Final Answer:

   Assign revenue to the left axis and satisfaction to the right axis -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Different units need separate axes [OK]

Hint: Use separate axes for different units in combo charts [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Putting both series on same axis causing confusion
• Reversing axis assignments
• Ignoring units and scales