Why combining chart types tells richer stories in Tableau - Why Use It

Introduction

Combining chart types in Tableau helps you show more information in one view. It lets you compare different data points clearly and tells a fuller story. This makes your dashboard easier to understand and more useful.

When you want to show sales trends and sales targets together in one chart

When you need to compare actual values with percentages in the same view

When you want to highlight a key number with a bar chart and show its trend with a line chart

When your data has different units or scales that need separate visual styles

When you want to make your dashboard more engaging by mixing chart types

Steps

Step 1: Open your Tableau workbook and go to the worksheet where you want to combine charts

- Tableau workspace

You see your data fields and an empty view area

Step 2: Drag the first measure (e.g., Sales) to Rows

- Data pane and Rows shelf

A bar chart appears showing sales values

Step 3: Drag the second measure (e.g., Profit Ratio) to the right side of the Rows shelf to create a dual axis

- Rows shelf next to the first measure

Two charts appear layered, one for each measure

Step 4: Right-click the second axis and select 'Dual Axis'

- Second axis on the right side of the view

Both charts combine into one view with two axes

Step 5: Click the Marks card dropdown for each measure and select different chart types (e.g., Bar for Sales, Line for Profit Ratio)

- Marks card for each measure

The combined chart shows bars and lines together

Step 6: Synchronize axes if needed by right-clicking one axis and selecting 'Synchronize Axis'

- Axis on the view

Both axes align for easier comparison

Step 7: Format colors and labels to make the chart clear and readable

- Marks card and Format pane

The combined chart looks clean and easy to understand

Before vs After

Before

Two separate charts: one bar chart showing sales and one line chart showing profit ratio on different views

After

One combined chart showing bars for sales and a line for profit ratio on the same view with two axes

Settings Reference

Dual Axis

📍 Right-click on the second axis in the view

Combine two charts into one view with two axes

Default: Single Axis

Marks Type

📍 Marks card dropdown for each measure

Choose the chart type for each measure in the combined view

Default: Automatic

Synchronize Axis

📍 Right-click on an axis in the view

Align scales of both axes for better comparison

Default: Unsynchronized

Common Mistakes

Not using dual axis and just placing charts side by side

This makes it harder to compare data points directly

Use dual axis to overlay charts for easier comparison

Using the same chart type for both measures

It can confuse the viewer and hide differences in data types

Use different chart types like bar and line to show different data clearly

Not synchronizing axes when measures have similar scales

Axes misalignment can mislead interpretation

Synchronize axes to align scales for accurate comparison

Summary

Combining chart types in Tableau helps tell richer, clearer stories by showing different data together.

Use dual axis and different marks types to mix charts like bars and lines in one view.

Remember to synchronize axes and format charts for easy understanding.