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Displaying insights into two different variables within data should never be a time-consuming affair. The number of charts you can use to visualize data is vast.
The odds of using the wrong charts to visualize complex data are high. The visualization design that we recommend you display two varying variables in a data set is a Double Line Graph.
The chart mentioned above can save you space and make your data visualization dashboard lean. In other words, it can perform a task usually done by two different charts.
It turns out you don’t have to do away with Google Sheets. You can supercharge it by installing a particular add-on to access a ready-to-use.
In this blog, you’ll learn the following:
Also, we’ll recommend the tested and proven add-on to install in your Google Sheets to access the ready-to-go Double Line Graph.
Definition: A Double Line Graph uses two axes to illustrate the relationships between two variables with different magnitudes and scales of measurement.
The relationship between two variables is referred to as correlation. A Multi-Axis graph in Excel, like a Dual Line Graph, illustrates plenty of information using limited space. This means you can uncover hidden insights, such as trends and patterns, easily.
Charts with a secondary axis can help you emphasize the key data points within categories. More so, you can make comparisons between categories using a highly contrasting color scheme.
If you want to use limited space in your data visualization dashboard, your go-to visualization design should be a Dual Line Graph.
Take a look at the table below.
| Years | No. Travel Agents | Online Hotel Revenue |
| 2015 | 50 | 50,000 |
| 2016 | 60 | 45,000 |
| 2017 | 75 | 80,000 |
| 2018 | 85 | 74,000 |
| 2019 | 42 | 33,000 |
| 2020 | 74 | 96,000 |
| 2021 | 96 | 55,000 |
Can you provide a coherent story of what’s going on?
Note the difference after visualizing the data using a Line graph with multiple lines in Google Sheets. You can easily see the relationship between online hotel revenue and the number of travel agents.
For instance, between 2015 and 2020, the number of agents and revenue generated was directly proportional. However, in 2020, the relationship turned inverse, probably due to Coronavirus and travel restrictions.
The Double Line Graph is a visualization design that displays information using two distinct straight lines and a secondary axis. You can use the chart to display the trends and patterns of key variables in your data.
Use continuous and categorical data to get the most from the visual Chart. In others, the recommended dimension to use is time (years, months, weeks, or days).
Dual Axis line graphs only make sense when there’s a meaningful relationship between key data points.
How to create Double Line Graphs should never be a time-intensive affair for you. Keep reading to discover more.
When the Double Line Graph is missing certain data points, gaps in the record may be interpreted as phantom values. Ensure your data is clear of gaps and errors that may distort the interpretation of the chart.
In a standard Dual Axis Chart or Double Line Graph, each point is connected to the next with a straight-line segment. However, there may be the aesthetic temptation to link all of the points smoothly, fitting a curve that goes through all of the points at once. This may distort the insights displayed by the visualization design.
A double line graph compares two related variables on a single Y-axis, while a multi-axis line graph visualizes multiple datasets with separate Y-axes, allowing for comparisons between variables with different scales or units.
Definition: A Multi-Axis Line Graph functions like any other multiple or stacked line chart. However, this visualization uses multiple axes, giving you more flexibility in the data you can chart together.
A line chart with two Y-axis components opens many new doors in your analysis projects. Adding even more axes only creates greater opportunity.
Stop limiting yourself to traditional chart types and learn about the Multi-Axis Line Chart and how to use it.
Most people know how to read a simple line graph. It’s something we learn in grade school. However, multi-axis line Graphs can be a bit different.
With each added axis, there is another line to chart the data corresponding to this variable. For instance, if you wanted to see temperature highs and rainfall totals for multiple locations, you’d have one line (and axis) for temperatures and a second for rainfall.
You can then look at the path of each line to see how the independent variables relate to each of these measures. This is not unlike how you might read a double-line chart.
There are quite a few variations of the Multi-Axis Line Graph visualization. Discussing these different designs and models allows you to see the different ways to use this chart type.
Dual Axis Line Chart: This is the type of line graph described in previous examples, where you have a graph with two Y-axis components.
Charting with a Secondary X Axis: All of the above examples of Multiple Axis Line Charts focus on adding a Y axis to your line graphs. However, you can also add a secondary X-axis
The flexibility of Multi-Axis Line Charts creates many instances where this visualization is useful. It allows you to answer more interesting and valuable analysis questions.
You can create a Multi-Axis Line Graph to depict data with dramatically different ranges. You can also use dual-axis line charts to compare items requiring unique scales. It truly offers exceptional freedom in how you approach visual analysis.
Allowing you to compare variables you wouldn’t normally be able to display together creates considerable analysis possibilities.
You can draw comparisons across datasets and see how one metric impacts another, even when they are separate from one another.
Plus, Multi Axis Line Charts enable you to include more details in a single chart, without hurting its readability. This is a massive advantage in reporting and developing valuable dashboards.
Google Sheets is one of the go-to data visualization tools for businesses and professionals. However, this freemium spreadsheet tool does not natively support Multi-Axis Line Graphs.
Well, you don’t have to do away with the spreadsheet app.
You can turn Google Sheets into a reliable data visualization tool loaded with ready-made and visually stunning double-line charts by installing ChartExpo.
In the coming section, you’ll learn how to visualize your data using a Multi-Axis Line Chart in ChartExpo.
This section will use the Dual Axis Line Graph to display insights into the table below.
Let’s get started.
| Hour of Day | Ice Cream | Coffee |
| 0 | 22.23 | 9.1 |
| 1 | 19.87 | 22 |
| 2 | 18.22 | 7.6 |
| 3 | 27.67 | 7.3 |
| 4 | 22.7 | 8.5 |
| 5 | 15.76 | 8.4 |
| 6 | 16.85 | 19 |
| 7 | 17.54 | 9.2 |
| 8 | 16.14 | 8.6 |
| 9 | 16.33 | 8.7 |
| 10 | 16.43 | 8.9 |
| 11 | 16.34 | 8.5 |
| 12 | 16.21 | 8.7 |
| 13 | 16.52 | 8.9 |
| 14 | 16.42 | 8.9 |
| 15 | 16.17 | 16 |
| 16 | 15.57 | 8.6 |
| 17 | 16.48 | 9 |
| 18 | 16.34 | 8.8 |
| 19 | 14.99 | 8.9 |
| 20 | 17.26 | 9.8 |
| 21 | 13.67 | 15 |
| 22 | 12.32 | 9.3 |
| 23 | 11.28 | 8.6 |
Install the ChartExpo add-on for Google Sheets from the link and then follow the simple and easy steps below.
An example of a Double Line Graph could be a comparison of monthly sales figures for two different products over a year.
The graph would have two lines, each representing the sales trend of a specific product, plotted against the months on the x-axis and the sales amounts on the y-axis. This type of graph allows viewers to easily compare the sales performance of the two products over time.
A Dual Axis Chart uses two axes to illustrate the relationships between two variables easily.
The chart illustrates plenty of information using limited space. This means you can easily uncover hidden insights, such as trends and patterns. More so, it’s amazingly easy to read and interpret.
Use charts with double axes, such as the Double Line Graph, if your goal is to display insights into data with multiple metrics.
The visualization design uses its expansive space and minimalist design to display more information without clutter and obscuring key insights.
Displaying insights into two different variables within data should never throw a curveball at you.
The number of charts you can use to visualize data is vast. However, the odds of using the wrong charts to visualize complex data are high. The visualization design that we recommend you display two varying variables in a data set is a Double Line Chart or Double Line Graph.
Why?
The visualization design can save you space and make your data visualization dashboard lean. In other words, it can perform a task normally done by two distinct charts.
We recommend you think beyond Google Sheets if you want to access ready-made Dual Axis Line Graphs.
Why?
Google Sheets’s library lacks Double Line Chart templates. We’re not recommending you do away with Google Sheets. Download and install third-party apps, such as ChartExpo, into your Google Sheets to access ready-to-go charts.
ChartExpo is an add-in you can easily download and install in your Google Sheets app. Besides, this tool comes loaded with insightful and ready-made Dual Axis Line Graphs.
You don’t need programming or coding skills to visualize your data using ChartExpo.
As we said, how to create a Double Line Graph should never be among your worries in data storytelling. We hope we’ve delivered value on how you can alleviate the problem (above).
Sign up for a 7-day free trial today to access easy-to-interpret and visually appealing charts.
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