The key to making a combination chart in Excel is to understand the matching of data structures and chart types. The specific steps are as follows: 1. Prepare a neat data structure, usually including multiple columns of data, each column represents a series, and consider whether to use a double axis according to unit differences; 2. Select the data area and insert the combination chart, and manually select the appropriate combination type such as a bar chart line chart; 3. If the dimensions of the data series are large, set the secondary axis by right-clicking to avoid visual misleading; 4. Adjust the color, legend position, axis annotation, column width and marking style to improve the readability of the chart.

It is not difficult to make a combination chart in Excel. The key is to understand the combination of data structures and chart types. The biggest advantage of a combination chart is that it can display different types of data trends at the same time, such as a bar chart plus a line chart, which can see the contrast relationship at a glance.

1. Prepare your data structure

Combined charts have certain requirements for how data is organized, usually two or more columns of data, each column represents a series. For example, you can have "month", "sales" and "target values", where "sales" are displayed on a bar chart and "target values" are displayed on a line chart.

Notice:

• Try to be neat and avoid empty rows or empty columns
• If the units of the two series vary greatly (for example, one is the amount and the other is the percentage), you can consider setting the double coordinate axis

2. Insert the basic chart and select the combination type

First select your data area, click "Insert" in the menu bar, and then select "Insert Combination Chart". At this time, a window will pop up to allow you to specify the chart type for each data series.

Common combinations include:

• Histogram line chart (most common)
• Line chart area chart
• Bar chart scatter plot (suitable for specific analysis)

You can adjust the chart type for each series according to your needs. Excel will usually automatically assign for you, but it is best to manually confirm whether it meets expectations.

3. Set the secondary axis (if required)

When the dimensions of the two data series are very different, such as one is the "sales quantity" and the other is the "growth rate", one of the series needs to be added to the sub-coordinate axis.

How to operate:

• Click on a data series in the chart
• Right-click to select "Set Data Series Format"
• Check "Second Coordinate Axis"

This allows the two series to have their own scales, avoiding visual misleading.

4. Adjust the style to make the chart clearer

Combination charts sometimes look a little messy, especially when colors, legends, and coordinate axes overlap. Suggest you:

• Use contrasting colors for different series
• Adjust the legend position so that it does not affect the main image area
• If you use double coordinate axes, remember to mark which series corresponds to which axis

Sometimes you may also need to adjust the width, spacing, or marking style of the line chart to make the entire chart more readable.

Basically these are the steps. Combination charts are not particularly complicated, but if the details are handled well, the expression effect will be much worse.

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