How to Create a Combo Chart in Excel? Very Simple Steps
In this article, you will learn how to create a combo chart in Excel, a versatile visualization tool that combines two or more different chart types into a single chart. A combo chart enables you to present and analyze diverse datasets simultaneously, allowing for a comprehensive understanding of the data. Typically, a combo chart involves combining a line chart with either a bar, column, or area chart, offering the flexibility to showcase variations in trends, comparisons, or distributions within the same visual framework. This dynamic combination empowers users to present complex information in a more digestible format, making Excel’s combo chart an invaluable asset for conveying multiple dimensions of data in a cohesive and comprehensible manner.
How to Create a Combo Chart in Excel?
Here are the step-by-step instructions on how to create a combo chart in Excel:
- Open Your Excel Spreadsheet:
Launch Microsoft Excel and open the spreadsheet containing the data you want to visualize using a combo chart. - Organize Your Data:
Structure your data with clear columns for the categories and corresponding values you want to represent in the combo chart. Ensure that your data has clear headers. - Select Your Data:
Highlight the entire dataset, including the headers for categories and their respective values. Ensure that you have included all the data series you want to represent in the combo chart. - Go to the “Insert” Tab:
Navigate to the “Insert” tab in the Excel ribbon located at the top of the screen. - Choose “Combo Chart” Type:
Within the “Charts” or “Chart Types” group, click on the “Combo” option. A dropdown menu will appear, allowing you to choose the specific combo chart type you want. - Select Chart Types for Each Data Series:
After choosing “Combo,” select the specific chart type for each data series. For example, you can choose a line chart for one series and a column chart for another. - Adjust the Combo Chart:
Excel will automatically generate a combo chart based on your selected data series and chart types. Right-click on the chart, choose “Select Data,” and ensure your data series and chart types are correctly recognized. - Customize the Chart:
Utilize the Chart Tools available in the ribbon to customize the appearance of your combo chart. This includes changing colors, titles, and labels for each data series. - Format Data Series (Optional):
Enhance the readability of your combo chart by formatting each data series individually. Right-click on a data series, choose “Format Data Series,” and adjust settings such as line thickness or column colors. - Save Your Workbook:
Save your Excel workbook to preserve the changes made to the combo chart. - Update the Chart with New Data:
If your dataset changes, right-click on the chart and choose “Select Data.” Adjust the data range or add new series to update the combo chart accordingly. - Explore Advanced Chart Options:
Depending on your needs, explore advanced options such as adjusting axis scales, adding data labels, or other features available in the Chart Tools. - Add Titles and Legends:
Make your combo chart informative by including a title and legend. Titles convey the main message, while legends explain the categories and chart types represented in the combo chart. - Format the Chart Area:
Fine-tune the appearance of the chart area, including background colors and borders, to align with your visual preferences. - Adjust Axis Labels (Optional):
Customize the axis labels to improve the clarity of your combo chart. Right-click on the axis labels, choose “Format Axis,” and adjust the label format.
By following these steps, you can create a combo chart in Excel, providing a comprehensive and visually appealing representation of multiple data series using different chart types within the same visual framework. Excel’s user-friendly tools for chart creation offer flexibility for customization, allowing you to tailor your combo chart to suit your specific data visualization needs.
