Excel is a powerful tool for data analysis and visualization, and it offers many options for customizing your charts and graphs. One such option is having two y axes, which can be useful when you want to compare two different sets of data that have different scales.
By default, Excel only allows you to have one y axis for your data. However, there is a workaround that allows you to have two y axes in your chart. This workaround involves creating a combination chart, which combines two different chart types – typically a column chart and a line chart – to display two different sets of data.
To create a combination chart with two y axes in Excel, you’ll need to follow a few steps. First, select the data that you want to include in your chart, including the data for both y axes. Then, go to the “Insert” tab and click on the “Recommended Charts” button. From the list of available chart types, select the one that best suits your needs.
After selecting the chart type, a new chart will appear on your worksheet. To add a second y axis to the chart, right-click on one of the data series and select “Format Data Series” from the context menu. In the “Format Data Series” pane, navigate to the “Series Options” tab and select the checkbox for “Secondary Axis”. This will add a secondary y axis to the chart, which you can format and customize as needed.
What is Excel?
Excel is a powerful spreadsheet software developed by Microsoft. It is widely used for organizing, analyzing, and presenting data in a tabular format. With Excel, you can create worksheets that contain cells, rows, and columns to store and manipulate numerical data.
Excel provides various features and tools for data manipulation, such as formulas, functions, and charts. It allows you to perform calculations, apply formatting, and create visual representations of data. Excel also supports automation through macros, enabling you to automate repetitive tasks and increase productivity.
Key Features of Excel:
1. Data Entry and Manipulation: Excel allows you to input and organize data efficiently. You can perform various operations on data, such as sorting, filtering, and applying formulas for calculations.
2. Formulas and Functions: Excel provides a wide range of predefined formulas and functions that can be used to perform complex calculations. These formulas and functions can be used to analyze data, generate reports, and make data-driven decisions.
3. Charts and Graphs: Excel offers a variety of chart types, including bar charts, line charts, pie charts, and more. These charts can help you visualize and analyze data by representing it in a graphical format.
4. Data Analysis and Reporting: Excel provides tools for data analysis, including pivot tables, data tables, and scenario analysis. These tools allow you to summarize and analyze large datasets, generate reports, and make data-driven insights.
5. Automation and Customization: Excel supports automation through macros, which allow you to record and replay a series of actions. It also provides customization options, such as creating custom formulas, adding macros, and designing user interfaces.
Conclusion:
Excel is a versatile tool that can be used for a wide range of purposes, from simple data entry to complex data analysis. Its user-friendly interface and powerful features make it a popular choice for businesses, individuals, and organizations. With its ability to handle large datasets and perform complex calculations, Excel is a valuable tool for anyone working with data.
Why use two y axes?
Having two y axes in Excel can be helpful when you have two sets of data with different units of measurement, and you want to compare their trends on the same chart. It allows you to visualize the relationship between two variables that may have different scales.
1. Comparison of trends
By using two y axes, you can place two different sets of data on the same chart, making it easier to compare their trends. This is particularly useful when the two variables are related but have different magnitudes or units.
For example, you may want to compare the number of website visitors and the revenue generated from those visitors over time. The number of visitors may range from a few hundred to several thousand, while the revenue may range from a few dollars to thousands of dollars. By using two y axes, you can visually analyze the trends in both variables simultaneously, even though they are measured in different units.
2. Correlation analysis
In some cases, you may want to analyze the correlation between two variables that have different scales. By using two y axes, you can plot the variables on the same chart and analyze their relationship. This can be particularly useful when you suspect that there might be a correlation between the two variables, but one variable’s magnitude makes it difficult to see any patterns when plotted on a single y axis.
For example, you may want to analyze the relationship between the average temperature and the number of ice cream sales during different months of the year. The temperature may range from -10°C to 30°C, while the number of ice cream sales may range from 0 to several thousand. By using two y axes, you can visualize any potential correlation between the temperature and ice cream sales more easily.
However, it’s important to note that using two y axes can sometimes lead to misleading interpretations if not used carefully. It’s essential to provide clear labels and scale references to ensure that the reader understands the units and scales being used.
Step-by-step guide
To have two y axes in Excel, follow these steps:
1. Open Excel and create a new blank workbook.
2. Enter your data in two separate columns. The first column should contain your x-values, and the second and third columns should contain your y-values for the two different data sets.
3. Select the entire data range, including the x-values and the two sets of y-values.
4. Click on the “Insert” tab in the Excel ribbon and then click on the “Scatter” chart type. Choose the scatter chart with smooth lines option.
5. A scatter chart will be created with your data. Right-click on one of the data series, and then click on “Change Series Chart Type” in the context menu.
6. In the “Change Chart Type” dialog box, select “Combo” in the left pane. Choose the “Scatter with straight lines” chart type for the first data series, and the “Scatter with smooth lines” chart type for the second data series. Click on the “OK” button.
7. Now you will have a scatter chart with two data series displayed on two y axes. Right-click on the second data series (the one with the smooth lines) and select “Format Data Series” in the context menu.
8. In the “Format Data Series” pane, click on the “Series Options” tab. Under the “Plot Series On” section, select “Secondary Axis” and close the pane.
9. You should now see two y axes in your chart. To format the axes, right-click on each axis and choose the “Format Axis” option in the context menu. From here, you can change the axis titles, scales, and other formatting options.
10. Continue formatting the chart as desired, such as adding a chart title, legend, or data labels.
11. Save your workbook to preserve your changes.
By following these steps, you can easily create a chart with two y axes in Excel to visualize and compare two sets of data.
Step 1: Create your data set
Before creating a chart with two y axes in Excel, you need to have a data set that contains the values you want to plot. This data set should include both the x-axis values (independent variable) and the y-axis values (dependent variables).
Here are the steps to create your data set:
- Open a new Excel spreadsheet.
- In the first column, enter your x-axis values. These could be numerical values or categories.
- In the second column, enter your first set of y-axis values. These values will determine the scale for the left y-axis.
- If you want to add a third column for a second set of y-axis values, enter the data in that column as well. These values will determine the scale for the right y-axis.
- Continue adding data to the remaining columns if you have more sets of y-axis values.
- Make sure each column has a header that describes the data it contains.
Once you have created your data set, you can proceed to the next step of creating a chart with two y axes in Excel.
Step 2: Insert a chart
Once you have your data ready, you can go ahead and insert a chart. Follow the steps below to insert a chart in Excel:
1. Select the data you want to include in the chart
Select the range of cells that contain the data you want to include in the chart. This can be a single column or multiple columns and rows.
2. Go to the “Insert” tab
At the top of the Excel window, you will find the main tabs. Click on the “Insert” tab.
3. Choose the chart type
Under the “Charts” section, you will find different chart types to choose from. Click on the desired chart type that suits your data, such as column chart, line chart, or pie chart.
4. Click on “OK”
A chart will be inserted into your worksheet based on the selected data. You can now see your data displayed in a visual format.
By default, Excel will create the chart with a single y-axis. However, we will modify this in the next step to add a secondary y-axis.
Step 3: Customize the chart
After adding the secondary axis, you can further customize the chart to make it more visually appealing and easy to understand. Here are some additional steps you can take:
1. Change the chart type:
Depending on your data and the relationships you want to show, you can experiment with different chart types. For example, you can change the primary data series to a line chart and the secondary data series to a bar chart.
2. Adjust the axes:
You can modify the scale and appearance of the axes to better represent your data. For the secondary axis, you can adjust the minimum and maximum values, as well as the intervals between tick marks. You can also add axis labels and titles to provide further context.
3. Format the data series:
To differentiate between the primary and secondary data series, you can modify their colors, markers, and line styles. This can make it easier for viewers to identify which data series corresponds to each axis.
4. Add a chart title and labels:
To provide additional information and context for your chart, you can add a title and labels. The chart title can summarize the main message or purpose of the chart, while the axis labels can describe what each axis represents.
5. Adjust the legend:
If your chart includes a legend, you can customize its position, font size, and style. You can also choose to hide the legend if it is not necessary.
By following these steps and experimenting with different options, you can create a chart with two y axes that effectively communicates your data and insights.
Step 4: Add a secondary y axis
Adding a secondary y axis to your Excel chart can be helpful when you have multiple data series with different units of measurement. It allows you to clearly visualize and compare different data sets without sacrificing clarity.
Here’s how you can add a secondary y axis:
- Select the chart you want to modify.
- Go to the “Design” tab in the Ribbon.
- Click on the “Change Chart Type” button.
- In the “Chart Type” dialog box, select the chart type you want to use for the data series that will be plotted on the secondary y axis.
- Click on the “Secondary Axis” checkbox.
- Click on the “OK” button.
- Your chart will now have a secondary y axis.
After adding the secondary y axis, you can format it to meet your needs. Right-click on the secondary y axis and choose “Format Axis” from the context menu. In the “Format Axis” pane, you can customize the axis type, labels, scale, and other settings.
Using a secondary y axis can enhance the understanding of your data and make your charts more informative. However, it’s important to use it judiciously and avoid overcomplicating your visuals. Make sure to clearly label each axis and provide a clear legend to indicate which data series are plotted against which axis.
