How to Create a Chart With 2 Primary & 2 Secondary Axes in Excel 2007

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Microsoft Excel is spreadsheet software that can help you to create dynamic, professional looking graphs. You aren't limited to one graph: for certain data types it's possible to chart two sets of axes on the same chart. For example, suppose you have a three column list of items, number of items sold, and gross profit per item. You might want to chart net sales and net profit on the same physical chart, but with the sales data shown as a column chart below a line graph showing profit.

Instructions

1. Highlight all of the data that you want included in the chart. Left click on the top left cell and drag the cursor to the bottom right cell.

2. Click on the "Insert" tab and choose the type of chart you want to insert. For example, if you want to insert a column graph, click on the "column" icon and choose "2D graph." Excel will insert a graph into your workbook. For the above example, this will be a column graph showing columns for both sales and profit.

3. Click on one of the profit columns. Excel will highlight all of the columns in that range.

4. Right click and select "Change Series Chart Type" from the list.

5. Select a different type of chart from the chart options. For the above example, choose "Line->Line Chart."

6. Right-click on the profit chart (which is now a line chart). Choose "Format Data Series." Click on the "Secondary Axis" radio button to insert a second Y-axis into the chart or click on the "Primary Axis" radio button to insert a second X-axis into the chart.

Tips & Warnings

• If your graphs overlap each other, change the colors on the chart to opposing colors (like blue and yellow) to make the charts pop out. To change colors, right click on the chart, click on "Format Data Series," and choose "Fill." Click on the "Solid Fill" radio button and choose a color before clicking "close."

References

• Microsoft: Create a Chart