Combine Chart Types in Excel to Display Related Data

What is a Combined Chart?

A combined chart, also known as a combination chart, is a graphical representation of data that combines two or more different chart types into a single chart. In other words, it allows you to display multiple sets of data using different visualization methods in a single chart. This can be a powerful tool for analyzing and presenting complex datasets, as it enables you to compare and correlate different types of data at once.

With a combined chart, you can visually represent data that has different scales, units of measurement, or data types. For example, you can combine a line chart and a bar chart to show the relationship between two variables, such as sales revenue and number of units sold, over a period of time. By merging these two chart types, you can provide a more comprehensive and insightful view of the data.

Combined charts are particularly useful when you want to highlight the connection or correlation between different sets of data. By utilizing multiple chart types, you can effectively convey the relationship between variables, making it easier for your audience to understand and interpret the data.

Excel, one of the most widely used spreadsheet programs, provides a user-friendly interface for creating combined charts. It offers a variety of chart types and customization options, allowing you to tailor the chart to your specific needs and preferences.

Next, let’s explore why you might want to use combined charts in your data analysis and visualization efforts.

Why Use Combined Charts?

Combined charts offer several benefits and advantages that make them a valuable tool in data analysis and visualization. Here are some reasons why you might want to consider using combined charts:

1. Comprehensive representation: Combined charts allow you to display multiple sets of data using different chart types, providing a more comprehensive representation of your data. This enables you to convey complex relationships or patterns that may not be evident when using a single chart type.

2. Comparison and correlation: By combining different chart types, you can easily compare and correlate different sets of data. This can help you identify trends, patterns, and relationships that may exist between variables, leading to deeper insights and better decision-making.

3. Visual appeal: Combined charts can add visual appeal and make your data more engaging and easy to understand. By using various chart types and colors, you can create visually striking charts that capture your audience’s attention and enhance their comprehension of the data.

4. Space-saving: Instead of having multiple separate charts, a combined chart allows you to display multiple datasets in a single chart area. This can help save space in your presentations or reports while still conveying the necessary information effectively.

5. Flexibility: Excel’s combined chart feature offers a high degree of flexibility and customization options. You can easily adjust the formatting, axis scales, labels, and other chart elements to suit your specific needs and preferences.

6. Storytelling: Combined charts enable you to tell a more comprehensive and compelling story with your data. By presenting related data in one chart, you can guide your audience through a narrative that helps them understand the data’s significance and implications.

Overall, combined charts provide a powerful and versatile approach to data visualization. They offer a creative and effective way to present complex data sets and highlight relationships and patterns that may otherwise go unnoticed. Now, let’s delve into the process of creating a combined chart in Excel.

How to Create a Combined Chart in Excel

Creating a combined chart in Excel is a straightforward process that allows you to combine different chart types to effectively display and analyze your data. Here’s a step-by-step guide to creating a combined chart in Excel:

Select your data: Start by selecting the data you want to include in the chart. This can be done by clicking and dragging your cursor over the cells containing the data.
Insert a chart: With the data selected, go to the “Insert” tab in Excel and click on the desired chart type that you want to use as the base chart. This will initially create a chart using only this chart type.
Add data series: To add additional data series to your combined chart, right-click on the chart and select “Select Data” from the drop-down menu. In the “Select Data Source” dialog box, click on the “Add” button under the “Legend Entries (Series)” section.
Select the data for the series: In the “Edit Series” dialog box, select the range of cells that contain the data you want to add to the chart. You can also specify the series name and category labels here. Click “OK” to confirm the changes.
Choose the chart type for the series: With the new series added to the chart, you can customize its chart type by selecting the series in the chart and right-clicking on it. Choose “Change Series Chart Type” from the menu and select the desired chart type for the series.
Format and customize the chart: Excel provides a range of formatting and customization options to make your combined chart visually appealing and informative. You can modify the chart title, axis labels, data labels, colors, and other chart elements to suit your preferences.
Update and adjust the chart: As you make changes to your data or want to add further series to the combined chart, you can update and adjust the chart accordingly. Right-click on the chart, select “Select Data,” and make the necessary modifications.

Remember, creating a combined chart requires experimenting with different chart types and data series to find the best representation for your data. Excel provides a range of chart types, including line, bar, column, area, scatter, bubble, radar, stock, and surface charts, which can all be combined to create visually informative charts.

Now that you know how to create a combined chart in Excel, let’s explore some examples of different combinations of chart types and their applications.

Combination of Line and Bar Charts

Combining a line chart and a bar chart is a common approach to visually represent two related data sets in Excel. This combination allows for the simultaneous comparison of numeric values using the bars and the tracking of trends or changes in values over time using the line.

To create a combination of line and bar charts in Excel, follow these steps:

Select your data: Choose the data for both the line chart and the bar chart. The line chart typically represents continuous variables, such as time or a numerical scale, while the bar chart represents discrete variables, such as categories or groups.
Create a bar chart: Select the data for the bar chart and go to the “Insert” tab in Excel. Choose the bar chart type that best suits your data, such as a clustered bar or stacked bar chart.
Add the line chart: Right-click on the bar chart and choose “Change Series Chart Type” from the menu. In the “Change Chart Type” dialog box, select the line chart type and click “OK.” This will add the line chart to your existing bar chart.
Format the chart: Customize the appearance of your combination chart by formatting the axes, adding data labels, adjusting colors, and modifying other chart elements. This will help improve the readability and interpretation of your data.

The combination of line and bar charts is particularly useful when you want to compare two related variables that have different scales or units of measurement. For example, you could compare monthly sales revenue (represented by the bars) with the average temperature for each month (represented by the line) to analyze any potential relationship between the two variables.

This type of combination chart is also effective for showing progress over time or tracking trends. The line chart can illustrate the trend or change in a variable, while the bars provide a clear visual comparison between different categories or groups at each point in time.

Keep in mind that the choice of chart types and the formatting of your combination chart should align with the specific insights you want to convey. Experiment with different combinations and customization options to create a visually appealing and informative chart that effectively represents your data.

Now that you understand how to create a combination of line and bar charts, let’s explore other combinations of chart types in Excel for different data visualization needs.

Combination of Column and Line Charts

The combination of column and line charts in Excel is a powerful way to display two different types of data in a single chart. This combination allows for the simultaneous comparison of quantities using the columns and the depiction of trends or changes in values using the line.

To create a combination of column and line charts in Excel, follow these steps:

Select your data: Choose the data for both the column chart and the line chart. Generally, the column chart represents categorical or discrete data, while the line chart represents continuous or sequential data.
Create a column chart: Select the data for the column chart and go to the “Insert” tab in Excel. Choose the column chart type that best suits your data, such as a clustered column or stacked column chart.
Add the line chart: Right-click on the column chart and select “Change Series Chart Type” from the menu. In the “Change Chart Type” dialog box, choose the line chart type and click “OK.” This will add the line chart to your existing column chart.
Format the chart: Customize the appearance of your combination chart by formatting the axes, adding labels, adjusting colors, and modifying other chart elements. This will enhance the readability and interpretation of your data.

The combination of column and line charts is useful when you want to compare two related variables with different scales or units of measurement. For example, you can compare the monthly sales revenue (represented by the columns) with the average monthly expenses (represented by the line) to analyze the profitability of a business over time.

This type of combination chart is also effective for showing the relationship between two variables. The columns provide a clear visual comparison between categories or groups, while the line can depict the trend or change in a continuous variable.

Experiment with different combinations and formatting options to create a visually appealing and informative chart that effectively represents your data. Consider using different colors or patterns for the columns and the line to differentiate between the two data sets.

Remember, the choice of chart types and the customization of your combination chart should align with the specific insights you want to convey. By leveraging the power of combined charts, you can create dynamic visualizations that present your data in a clear and impactful way.

Now that you know how to create a combination of column and line charts, let’s explore other combinations of chart types in Excel for different data visualization needs.

Combination of Column and Area Charts

The combination of column and area charts in Excel provides a visually appealing and informative way to represent two different types of data in a single chart. This combination allows for the comparison of quantities using the columns and the visualization of continuous variables using the area.

To create a combination of column and area charts in Excel, follow these steps:

Select your data: Choose the data for both the column chart and the area chart. Typically, the column chart represents categorical or discrete data, while the area chart displays continuous or sequential data.
Create a column chart: Select the data for the column chart and go to the “Insert” tab in Excel. Choose the column chart type that best suits your data, such as a clustered column or stacked column chart.
Add the area chart: Right-click on the column chart and select “Change Series Chart Type” from the menu. In the “Change Chart Type” dialog box, choose the area chart type and click “OK.” This will add the area chart to your existing column chart.
Format the chart: Customize the appearance of your combination chart by formatting the axes, adding labels, adjusting colors, and modifying other chart elements. This will enhance the readability and interpretation of your data.

The combination of column and area charts is particularly useful when you want to compare two variables that have different scales or units of measurement. For example, you could compare the monthly website traffic (represented by the columns) with the conversion rate (represented by the area) to analyze the effectiveness of your marketing campaigns over time.

This type of combination chart is also effective for showing the relationship or trends between two variables. The columns provide a clear visual comparison between categories or groups, while the area can depict the continuous variation or change in a variable.

Experiment with different combinations and formatting options to create a visually appealing and informative chart that effectively represents your data. Consider using different colors or shading for the columns and the area to differentiate between the two data sets.

Now that you know how to create a combination of column and area charts, let’s explore other combinations of chart types in Excel for different data visualization needs.

Combination of Column and Scatter Charts

The combination of column and scatter charts in Excel allows for the simultaneous representation of categorical data using columns and individual data points using scatter markers. This combination can be useful when you want to compare quantities between different categories while also displaying the distribution or relationship of individual data points.

To create a combination of column and scatter charts in Excel, follow these steps:

Select your data: Choose the data for both the column chart and the scatter chart. The column chart typically represents discrete or categorical data, while the scatter chart represents continuous or numerical data.
Create a column chart: Select the data for the column chart and go to the “Insert” tab in Excel. Choose the column chart type that best suits your data, such as a clustered column or stacked column chart.
Add the scatter chart: Right-click on the column chart and select “Change Series Chart Type” from the menu. In the “Change Chart Type” dialog box, choose the scatter chart type and click “OK.” This will add the scatter chart as a new series to your existing column chart.
Format the chart: Customize the appearance of your combination chart by formatting the axes, adding labels, adjusting colors, and modifying other chart elements. This will enhance the readability and interpretation of your data.

The combination of column and scatter charts is particularly useful when you want to compare quantities across different categories, such as comparing sales figures for different products or revenue generated by different regions. The columns allow for a clear visual comparison between categories, while the scatter markers represent individual data points, such as specific sales figures or revenue numbers.

This type of combination chart can also be used to show the relationship or correlation between two variables. For example, you could use columns to represent the advertising expenditure for different marketing channels and scatter markers to represent the corresponding sales figures. This would allow you to analyze the relationship between advertising expenditure and sales performance.

Experiment with different combinations and formatting options to create a visually appealing and informative chart that effectively represents your data. Consider using different colors or marker shapes for the scatter points to differentiate between different data series or categories.

By leveraging the power of combined charts, you can create dynamic visualizations that provide a comprehensive view of your data. Now that you know how to create a combination of column and scatter charts, let’s explore other combinations of chart types in Excel for different data visualization needs.

Combination of Column and Bubble Charts

The combination of column and bubble charts in Excel allows you to represent two types of data simultaneously. By combining the columns for categorical data and the bubbles for additional quantitative information, you can create engaging and informative visualizations.

To create a combination of column and bubble charts in Excel, follow these steps:

Select your data: Choose the data for both the column chart and the bubble chart. The column chart typically represents categorical or discrete data, while the bubble chart displays additional quantitative data.
Create a column chart: Select the data for the column chart and go to the “Insert” tab in Excel. Choose the column chart type that best suits your data, such as a clustered column or stacked column chart.
Add the bubble chart: Right-click on the column chart and select “Change Series Chart Type” from the menu. In the “Change Chart Type” dialog box, choose the bubble chart type and click “OK.” This will add the bubble chart as a new series to your existing column chart.
Format the chart: Customize the appearance of your combination chart by formatting the axes, adding labels, adjusting colors, and modifying other chart elements. This will enhance the readability and interpretation of your data.

The combination of column and bubble charts can be particularly useful when you want to compare categorical data across different categories, while also displaying an additional quantitative measure. For example, you could use columns to show the sales figures for different products and bubbles to represent the profit margins or market share of each product.

This combination chart can also be helpful in visualizing the relationships or correlations between variables. You could use columns to show the number of customers in different age groups or income brackets and bubbles to indicate their corresponding purchasing power or average transaction size.

Experiment with different combinations and formatting options to create visually appealing charts that effectively represent your data. You can adjust the bubble sizes to reflect the magnitude of the additional quantitative data or use different colors to represent different categories or groups.

By leveraging the power of combined charts, you can create dynamic visualizations that provide a comprehensive view of your data. Now that you know how to create a combination of column and bubble charts, let’s explore other combinations of chart types in Excel for different data visualization needs.

Combination of Column and Radar Charts

The combination of column and radar charts in Excel provides a unique and effective way to compare multiple variables across different categories. By combining the columns for numerical data and the radar chart for qualitative data, you can create visually appealing visualizations that highlight patterns and variations.

To create a combination of column and radar charts in Excel, follow these steps:

Select your data: Choose the data for both the column chart and the radar chart. The column chart typically represents numerical data, while the radar chart displays qualitative or categorical data.
Create a column chart: Select the data for the column chart and go to the “Insert” tab in Excel. Choose the column chart type that best suits your data, such as a clustered column or stacked column chart.
Add the radar chart: Right-click on the column chart and select “Change Series Chart Type” from the menu. In the “Change Chart Type” dialog box, choose the radar chart type and click “OK.” This will add the radar chart as a new series to your existing column chart.
Format the chart: Customize the appearance of your combination chart by formatting the axes, adding labels, adjusting colors, and modifying other chart elements. This will enhance the readability and interpretation of your data.

The combination of column and radar charts is especially useful when you want to compare multiple variables across different categories or groups. For example, you could use columns to show the sales figures for different products, and the radar chart to depict the performance of each product in various areas, such as quality, pricing, and customer satisfaction.

This type of combination chart can also be beneficial in highlighting variations or patterns among different categories. By using the radar chart, you can display the strengths and weaknesses of each category across multiple attributes, while the columns provide a visual representation of the numerical values.

Experiment with different combinations and formatting options to create visually striking charts that effectively compare categorical and numerical data. You can adjust the scale and labels on the radar chart to reflect the qualitative aspects, and customize the colors or patterns of the columns to differentiate between different categories.

By leveraging the power of combined charts, you can create dynamic visualizations that provide a comprehensive view of your data. Now that you know how to create a combination of column and radar charts, let’s explore other combinations of chart types in Excel for different data visualization needs.

Combination of Column and Stock Charts

The combination of column and stock charts in Excel allows you to visualize both quantitative and financial data in a single chart. By combining columns to represent volume or other numerical data with a stock chart to display the open, high, low, and close prices, you can effectively analyze and compare stock market data.

To create a combination of column and stock charts in Excel, follow these steps:

Select your data: Choose the data for both the column chart and the stock chart. The column chart typically represents volume or other numerical data, while the stock chart displays the open, high, low, and close prices for a set of stocks.
Create a stock chart: Select the data for the stock chart, including the date, open, high, low, and close prices, and go to the “Insert” tab in Excel. Choose the stock chart type that suits your data, such as high-low-close or volume-open-high-low-close.
Add the column chart: Right-click on the stock chart and select “Change Series Chart Type” from the menu. In the “Change Chart Type” dialog box, choose the column chart type and click “OK.” This will add the column chart as a new series to your existing stock chart.
Format the chart: Customize the appearance of your combination chart by formatting the axes, adding labels, adjusting colors, and modifying other chart elements. This will enhance the readability and interpretation of your financial data.

The combination of column and stock charts is particularly useful for analyzing stock market trends and patterns. It allows you to compare the trade volume or other numerical values with the stock prices over a specific period. This combination enables you to identify correlations or anomalies between trading activity and price movement.

With this combination chart, you can easily visualize the relationship between volume and stock prices. High volume with increased or decreased prices can indicate market trends, while low volume with stagnant prices may suggest consolidation or indecision in the market.

Experiment with various formatting options to create visually appealing charts that effectively represent your financial data. Consider using different colors for columns and lines to differentiate the quantitative values from the stock prices.

By leveraging the power of combined charts, you can gain valuable insights into stock market data and make informed investment decisions. Now that you understand how to create a combination of column and stock charts, let’s explore other combinations of chart types in Excel for different data visualization needs.

Combination of Column and Surface Charts

The combination of column and surface charts in Excel allows you to visualize and analyze data that involves both categorical and continuous variables. By combining the columns to represent categorical data and the surface chart to display the continuous data, you can create visually impactful and informative visualizations.

To create a combination of column and surface charts in Excel, follow these steps:

Select your data: Choose the data for both the column chart and the surface chart. The column chart typically represents categorical or discrete data, while the surface chart displays continuous data across two or more variables.
Create a column chart: Select the data for the column chart and go to the “Insert” tab in Excel. Choose the column chart type that best suits your data, such as a clustered column or stacked column chart.
Add the surface chart: Right-click on the column chart and select “Change Series Chart Type” from the menu. In the “Change Chart Type” dialog box, choose the surface chart type and click “OK.” This will add the surface chart as a new series to your existing column chart.
Format the chart: Customize the appearance of your combination chart by formatting the axes, adding labels, adjusting colors, and modifying other chart elements. This will enhance the readability and interpretation of your data.

The combination of column and surface charts is particularly useful when you want to compare categorical data across different categories or groups while also visualizing the relationship between two or more continuous variables. For example, you could use columns to represent different product categories and the surface chart to illustrate the relationship between product price, customer satisfaction, and sales figures.

This type of combination chart can also be effective in displaying data that involves multiple variables or dimensions. By using the surface chart, you can depict the varying values of the continuous variables across different categories. Meanwhile, the columns provide a clear visual comparison between the categories or groups represented in the categorical data.

Experiment with different combinations and formatting options to create visually impactful charts that effectively represent both categorical and continuous data. Consider using different colors or shading for the surface chart to differentiate between different levels or ranges of the continuous variables.

By leveraging the power of combined charts, you can create dynamic visualizations that provide comprehensive insights into your data. Now that you know how to create a combination of column and surface charts, let’s explore other combinations of chart types in Excel for different data visualization needs.

Tips for Creating Effective Combination Charts

Creating effective combination charts requires careful consideration of the data, chart types, and the overall visual presentation. Here are some tips to help you create visually appealing and informative combination charts in Excel:

Choose the right chart types: Select chart types that best represent the nature of your data and the relationships you want to highlight. Consider how different chart types complement each other to convey the intended message.
Keep it simple: Avoid overcrowding your combination chart with too much information. Focus on the key data points and make sure the chart is visually clean and uncluttered.
Avoid excessive use of colors: Use colors judiciously to enhance the visual appeal and improve data readability. Using a consistent color scheme, as well as contrasting colors for different elements, can help differentiate between data series and make your chart more visually appealing.
Use clear labeling: Label your axes, data points, and any other relevant information clearly. This ensures that your audience can easily understand and interpret the chart, facilitating effective communication of your data.
Provide contextual information: Add titles, captions, or annotations to provide context and guide the interpretation of the data. This helps your audience understand the purpose of the chart and the insights it conveys.
Consider the data scale: Pay attention to the scales and units of measurement for each variable in your combination chart. Ensure that the different chart types align with the appropriate scales to accurately represent the relationships between the variables.
Balance the visual weight: Adjust the size, thickness, and spacing of elements within your combination chart to achieve a balanced visual presentation. This ensures that the different chart types and data series are clearly visible and easy to interpret.
Regularly update the chart: If your data is dynamic and subject to change, regularly update your combination chart to ensure its accuracy and relevance. This helps maintain the integrity and usefulness of the chart over time.

Remember, the goal of a combination chart is to effectively convey complex data relationships. By following these tips, you can create combination charts that showcase the connections between different variables, engage your audience, and empower them to make informed decisions based on your data.