Line Chart With Two Y Axis Excel

Creating a line chart with two y axes in Excel can be a useful tool when analyzing and comparing data with different scales or units of measurement. By having two y axes, you can plot multiple series of data on the same chart, each with its own scale.

Why Use a Line Chart with Two Y Axes?

When dealing with data that has different scales or units, it can be challenging to compare the trends and relationships between the variables. By using a line chart with two y axes, you can easily visualize and analyze the data without losing the context.

How to Create a Line Chart with Two Y Axes in Excel

Follow these steps to create a line chart with two y axes in Excel:

1. Select the data you want to include in the chart.
2. Go to the “Insert” tab and click on the “Insert Line or Area Chart” button.
3. Select the “Line with Marker” chart type from the dropdown menu.
4. Excel will generate a basic line chart with one y axis.
5. Right-click on one of the data series in the chart and select “Format Data Series” from the context menu.
6. In the “Format Data Series” pane, go to the “Series Options” tab.
7. Check the “Secondary Axis” box.
8. The selected data series will now be plotted on the secondary y axis.
9. Repeat steps 5-8 for any other data series you want to include on the secondary y axis.
10. Customize the chart by adding titles, labels, and adjusting the scales of the y axes.

Sample Line Charts with Two Y Axes

Here are five sample line charts with two y axes created in Excel:

1. Sales vs. Advertising Spend

This line chart compares the sales revenue and advertising spend over a period of time. The primary y axis represents the sales revenue in dollars, while the secondary y axis represents the advertising spend in dollars.

2. Temperature vs. Precipitation

This line chart compares the average temperature and precipitation levels over a year. The primary y axis represents the temperature in degrees Celsius, while the secondary y axis represents the precipitation in millimeters.

3. Stock Price vs. Trading Volume

This line chart compares the stock price and trading volume of a company over a period of time. The primary y axis represents the stock price in dollars, while the secondary y axis represents the trading volume in millions of shares.

4. Website Traffic vs. Conversion Rate

This line chart compares the website traffic and conversion rate over a month. The primary y axis represents the number of website visits, while the secondary y axis represents the conversion rate as a percentage.

5. Student Enrollment vs. Graduation Rate

This line chart compares the student enrollment and graduation rate of a university over a decade. The primary y axis represents the number of students enrolled, while the secondary y axis represents the graduation rate as a percentage.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Here are some frequently asked questions about creating line charts with two y axes in Excel:

1. Can I add more than two y axes to a line chart in Excel?

No, Excel only allows you to add two y axes to a line chart. If you need to plot more than two series of data with different scales, you can consider using a combination chart or creating multiple line charts.

2. How do I change the scales of the y axes in a line chart?

To change the scales of the y axes in a line chart, right-click on one of the y axes and select “Format Axis” from the context menu. In the “Format Axis” pane, you can customize the minimum, maximum, and interval values of the y axis.

3. Can I change the order of the data series on the y axes?

Yes, you can change the order of the data series on the y axes by selecting the data series in the chart and dragging them to a new position. The series that are closer to the top will be plotted on the primary y axis, while the series that are closer to the bottom will be plotted on the secondary y axis.

4. How do I add titles and labels to a line chart with two y axes?

To add titles and labels to a line chart with two y axes, select the chart and go to the “Chart Tools” tab. From there, you can add titles to the chart and axes, as well as customize the labels and legends.

5. Can I change the chart type of a line chart with two y axes?

Yes, you can change the chart type of a line chart with two y axes by right-clicking on the chart and selecting “Change Chart Type” from the context menu. In the “Change Chart Type” dialog box, you can choose a different chart type, such as a bar chart or a scatter plot.

Tags

line chart, two y axes, Excel, data analysis, data visualization, charting, data comparison, scales, units of measurement, trends, relationships