How to make a combo chart in Excel
A combo chart puts two different measures on one picture — say revenue as columns and margin % as a line on a second axis. It's the cleanest way to show "how much" and "what rate" together. Here's how, and the one-click alternative.
When a combo chart is the right call
Two measures, one set of categories, two very different scales — that's exactly what a combo chart was made for.
Amount vs rate
Revenue (£) with margin (%), or volume with conversion rate.
Different scales
When two measures live in very different number ranges.
Cause & effect
Spend as columns, results as a line — see them move together.
How to make one in Excel
Excel's built-in Combo chart type lets you mix column and line series and send one of them to a secondary axis.
Lay out the columns
Category, then your two measures (e.g. revenue and margin %) in separate columns.
Insert a combo chart
Select all, then Insert › Charts › Combo.
Assign types & axes
Set one series to Clustered Column and the other to Line, and tick Secondary Axis for the line.
Scale the second axis
Double-click the right axis and set sensible min/max so the line doesn't crush the columns.
The whole point of a combo chart is the secondary axis — without it, a percentage plotted next to pounds becomes an invisible flat line at the bottom. Always put the smaller-scale measure (rates, ratios, counts) on the secondary axis, and label both axes so readers know which line belongs where.
The faster way — skip the setup
Picking types, enabling the second axis and scaling both by hand gets old fast — especially when the data refreshes. DataHub Pro pairs them for you.
The axis dance
- Assign each series a chart type
- Remember to enable the secondary axis
- Scale both axes by hand
- Rebuild when data updates
Two measures, auto-paired
- Upload the file — it pairs amount with rate
- Secondary axis set automatically
- Both axes scaled and labelled
- Drops into a dashboard or report
FAQ
What is a combo chart in Excel?
A combo (combination) chart shows two or more series as different chart types on one plot — most often columns plus a line — so you can compare measures that don't share the same scale, like revenue and margin percentage.
How do I add a secondary axis?
Insert a Combo chart from Insert › Charts, then for the series you want on its own scale choose a chart type (usually Line) and tick the Secondary Axis box. Excel adds a second vertical axis on the right.
When should I use a combo chart?
Use one when you have two related measures on very different scales — an amount and a rate, or a volume and a percentage — and you want to see how they move together over the same categories.
Keep exploring
More visual analysis you can run on your own data — no sign-up needed to read.
Two measures, one clean chart
Upload an Excel or CSV file and DataHub Pro pairs your amount and rate on the right axes for you. Free to try, no card.
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