Do you want to compare data on sales and profits in a single combined chart? Or maybe you need to present website traffic data on two separate axes? For such applications, adding a secondary axis in Google Sheets charts would be appropriate to make them easier to understand.
So, how do you insert a Google Sheets chart with two y-axes?
- Add a combo chart.
- Double-click on your chart and open โCustomizeโ > โSeriesโ in the chart editor.
- In the โSeries selector,โ pick the label you want to use as another y-axis.
- Select โRight axisโ under the โAxisโ drop-down menu.
Join us as we discuss how to add a right vertical axis in Google Sheets.
Table of Contents
Inserting a Secondary Axis in Google Sheets
Are you ready to get your hands working? By the end of this guide, you should be able to create the Google Sheets combo chart with a secondary axis illustrated below.
Step 1: Organize Your Data
Clean and arrange your data into a neat table with well-defined labels. This would make the chart creation process a lot easier since Google Sheets can detect the labels and fields accurately. You can format your data in the same format as the following example:
You must also visualize what data is represented by columns and lines (as illustrated above). By doing so, you can clear up any confusion when adding your secondary y-axis to your chart.
Related: Can Google Sheets Chart Multiple Ranges of Data? Yes! Here’s How
Step 2: Insert a Chart
After arranging your data, you can now insert your chart. When dealing with multi-series data sets, using a Google Sheets combo chart would be highly appropriate. If youโre unfamiliar with it, a combo chart simply โcombinesโ a line and column chart into one.
- Highlight your data, including the column headers used.
- Select โInsertโ in the menu bar, then click โChart.โ
- Alternatively, click the โInsert chartโ icon in the toolbar.
- In the โChart editorโ panel, open the drop-down list under โChart type.โ
- Choose โCombo chartโ under the โLineโ section.
You can use any chart type for your data, depending on your visualization needs and preferences. But itโs more common to use a Google Sheets combo chart secondary axis than with other chart types.
Step 3: Create the Secondary Axis in Google Sheets
To add a right y-axis, you must open the โChart editorโ panel and edit the โSeriesโ options. While there are many methods to access the said settings, hereโs how to add a second axis in Google Sheets in the most efficient way:
- Right-click your chart and select โSeries.โ
- From the options displayed, choose the label you want to use as your secondary axis. (In this example, we used โNumber of Units Soldโ).
- The โChart editorโ panel will be displayed on the side.
- In the โAxisโ drop-down menu, select โRight axis.โ
- Your secondary y-axis should now be inserted, as illustrated below.
Step 4: Customize Your Chart
Besides adding another vertical axis to your chart, you should consider customizing it to ensure itโs clearly labeled and understood. In particular, you can customize the labels in bold and change their colors.
- Right-click your chart and select โAxisโ > โVertical axis.โ
- In the โChart editorโ side panel, click the โBoldโย icon (capital B) under โLabel format.โ
- Open the โText colorโ selector. Customize your labels by selecting your column color.
- Right-click your chart again, then pick โAxisโ > โRight vertical axis.โ
- Repeat steps 2 and 3 for your secondary axis.
- Your chart should now look something like this:
Related: Google Sheets Combo Chart: Easy Guide + How-to Video
Final Thoughts
Adding a secondary axis in Google Sheets makes your charts easier to understand, especially when presenting multiple series in a single chart. If you need to insert one, just follow the steps above, and youโll have your second vertical axis in no time.
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