How to Create a Combo Chart in Microsoft Excel

Plus how to customize it to give you the elements you need

When you want to display different data sets visually, you can create a combination chart. If you want to show something like sales with costs or traffic with conversions, a combo chart in Microsoft Excel is ideal.

We’ll show you how to create a combo chart in Excel as well as customize it to include the elements you need and give it an attractive appearance.

How to Create a Combo Chart in Excel

You have a few ways to create a combo chart in Excel. You can convert an existing chart, select a quick combo chart type, or set up a custom chart.

If you already have a chart showing your data, like a bar chart or evena pie chart, you don’t have to delete it and start from scratch. Simply turn it into a combo chart.

Excel offers three combo chart types that you can pick from for your data.

Select your data set and go to theInserttab.

In the Charts group, choose theInsert Combo Chartdrop-down arrow to see the options. Pick from a clustered column with a line chart, a clustered column and line chart with a secondary axis, or a stacked area and clustered column chart.

You’ll then see the chart type you pick pop right onto your spreadsheet.

If you don’t have an existing chart and prefer to customize the series and axis for the combo chart from the start, you can create a custom chart.

How to Customize a Combo Chart

Once you choose and insert your combo chart, you may want to add more elements or give the chart some pizzazz. Excel offers several features for customizing a chart.

For basic appearance features and chart elements, select your chart and go to theChart Designtab.

Starting on the left side of the ribbon, you can use theAdd Chart Elementdrop-down menu to add and position items like the chart title, data labels, and legend.

To the right, use theQuick Layoutmenu to change the layout to include and position elements without having to do so one-by-one.

In the Chart Styles section, you can use theChange Colorsdrop-down menu to pick a different color scheme or theStylesbox to choose a whole new design.

With the remaining options on the ribbon, you can switch columns and rows, changethe chart dataselection, pick a new chart type, or move the chart to another sheet.

For changing the chart font, adding a border, and positioning the chart and text, right-click the chart and chooseFormat Chart Area. This opens a sidebar on the right where you can make more detailed adjustments.

UseChart OptionsorText Optionsat the top of the sidebar depending on which item you want to change. You can then use the tabs directly beneath to make your changes.

Chart Options: Change the fill and border styles and colors, add effects like a shadow or soft edge, and set the size or position for the chart.

Text Options: Change the fill or outline styles and colors, add effects, and position or align the text.

One more way to make adjustments to your chart is to use the buttons that display on the right side of it. These are currently only available in Microsoft Excel on Windows, not Mac.

Chart Elements(plus sign): Like the Chart Elements drop-down box on the Chart Design tab, you can add, remove, and position items on the chart.

Chart Style(paint brush): Like the Chart Styles section on the Chart Design tab, you can pick a different color scheme or style for your chart.

Chart Filters(filter): With this button, you can check or uncheck the details in your dataset that you want to display on your chart. This gives you a quick way to view only specific chart data by hiding other details temporarily.

Now that you know how to create a combo chart in Excel, look at how tomake a Gantt chart,heat map, orwaterfall chartfor your next project.

Sandy Writtenhouse is a freelance technology writer and former Project, Department, and Program Manager. She turned her education, job experience, and love of technology into a full-time writing career. With all sorts of gadgets in her home and her hands, she seeks to help others make life easier through technology.Read Sandy’s Full Bio

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