How to Add a Secondary Axis in Excel?

Think of yourself as the marketing analyst for a clothing brand. You have data on consumers’ ages and purchase frequency for a year. The task at hand is investigating the connection between age and purchasing behavior, necessitating the creation of a secondary axis plot for a visual exploration of this relationship.

By employing the solution of how to add a secondary axis in Excel, you gain a powerful tool that acts like adding a second pair of eyes to your analysis.

This feature provides a whole new perspective, allowing you to identify distinct customer segments based on purchase behavior more effortlessly.

No longer will you have to squint and decipher confusing charts that compare data with different units.

Let me show you how to add a secondary axis in Excel and make your charts readable.

Table of Contents:

1. What is the Secondary Axis in a Chart?
2. Why Add a Second Axis in the Excel chart?
3. How to Add a Secondary Axis in Excel?
4. Adding a Second Y-axis to an Existing Chart
5. How to Add a Secondary X-axis in Excel?
6. Examples of Charts with Secondary Axis
7. How to Add a Secondary Y-Axis in Excel With an Example?
8. How to Delete Secondary Axis in Excel?
9. Benefits of Incorporating a Secondary Axis in Your Charts
10. How to Add a Secondary Axis in Excel FAQs
11. Wrap Up

What is the Secondary Axis in a Chart?

Definition: A secondary axis is a charting feature that allows you to display multiple data series on a single chart. It eliminates the need for additional charts when comparing data series measured in different units. Or have different scales of comparison, making it easier to visualize and compare the data.

While a secondary axis can be helpful in certain situations, you should use it sparingly and appropriately. Adding too many axes to a chart can make it cluttered and difficult to read. Consequently, detracts from the effectiveness of the chart.

Why Add a Second Axis in the Excel chart?

The second axis in a chart is crucial because it enables us to plot data with varying units or scales within the same chart. This feature proves particularly handy when comparing variables with vastly different ranges or magnitudes.

With a secondary axis in a Multi-Axis Chart Excel, we can ensure that each set of data is accurately represented without any distortion or misinterpretation. Moreover, it allows us to visualize relationships or trends between variables that might be challenging to discern on a single axis.

Ultimately, the secondary axis enhances the clarity and effectiveness of the chart, especially when depicting complex data presentations or correlations.

How to Add a Secondary Axis in Excel?

In earlier versions like Excel 2010, adding a second axis required multiple intricate steps. However, in newer versions like Excel 2013 through 365, the process is much simpler and quicker.

Here’s how to add a second axis to your Excel chart:

• Select your data: including column headers.
• Insert a chart: Go to the Insert tab, find the Charts group, and click on Recommended Charts.

• Use Recommended Charts: If you’re fortunate, you may find a chart with a second axis among the suggestions on the left side of the Insert Chart dialog box. If so, select it and click OK, you’re good to go. If not, no worries, just proceed to the next steps.
• Combo Choice: If the recommended charts don’t include what you need, stay in the same window but switch to the All Charts tab. On the left, select Combo.
• Combo Setup: Choose a Clustered Column for one data series and a Line for the other. Make sure to check the Secondary Axis box for the Line data series. Once everything is set, click OK.

• And there you have it! Your chart now features a second vertical y-axis.

Tip: To enhance your combo chart with a second axis, consider customizing it further by changing the chart title, adding axis titles, and more. For detailed instructions, refer to ‘How to Edit Excel Graphs.

Adding a Second Y-axis to an Existing Chart

In some cases, it’s faster to add a second Y-axis to an existing chart rather than creating a new one from scratch. Here’s how to do it:

1. Select Your Chart: Click on your chart to activate the Chart Tools tabs on the ribbon.
2. Change Chart Type: Go to the Chart Design tab and click on the Change Chart Type button.
3. Choose Combo Chart: In the dialog box that appears, select Combo from the left pane and choose the Cluster Column – Line on Secondary Axis chart type.
4. Adjust Second Axis (if needed): If your chart includes multiple data series, you can choose which series to display on the secondary axis by checking the Secondary Axis box next to the desired series.
5. Save Changes: Click OK to apply the changes and close the dialog box.

That’s it! Your chart now includes a second Y-axis, making it easier to visualize data with different scales or types.

Examples of Charts with Secondary Axis

Excel charts are a fantastic tool for visually representing complex data and communicating insights to your audience. Nonetheless, there are situations when you must display two separate data sets on the same chart. In such cases, using a Dual Axis Chart can be extremely helpful, as it allows you to compare these data sets more effectively without confusion.

That’s where a secondary axis comes in handy.

A secondary axis allows adding a second data set with a different scale than the principal axis. Consequently, it facilitates easy comparison.

How to add a secondary axis in Excel?

There’s a simple and intuitive solution: ChartExpo.

This Excel add-in makes it easy to create data visualizations in just a few clicks. Adding a secondary axis is no exception.

Let’s learn how to Install ChartExpo in Excel.

1. Open your Excel application.
2. Open the worksheet and click the “Insert” menu.
3. You’ll see “My Apps”.
4. In the office Add-ins window, click “Store” and search for ChartExpo on my Apps Store.
5. Click the “Add” button to install ChartExpo in your Excel.

Example Data

Let’s say you have the data below for your company. You want to analyze the company’s sales and profit margin.

Months	Sales ($)	Profit Margin %
Jan	16600	27
Feb	17964	14
Mar	16955	11
Apr	14726	16
May	13972	22
Jun	20216	21
Jul	24506	21
Aug	13216	13
Sep	19569	21
Oct	16064	17
Nov	18897	27
Dec	18205	11

To analyze this data, you need to use a chart that allows for adding a secondary axis. The suitable charts to use here are the Double-Axis Line Graph and Bar Chart.

Follow through as I show you how to use ChartExpo to add a secondary axis in Excel.

• To get started with ChartExpo, install ChartExpo in Excel.
• Navigate to the INSERT menu and select My Apps.

• Choose ChartExpo from My Apps, then click Insert.

• Once ChartExpo is loaded. Click on “Double Axis Line Graph and Bar Chart” from the list of charts.

• Click the “Create Chart From Selection” button after selecting the data from the sheet, as shown.

• The Double Axis Line Graph and Bar Chart will look like as below.

• If you want to have the title of the chart, click on Edit Chart, as shown in the above image.
• To change the title of the chart, click on the pencil icon that is available very next to Chart Header.
• It will open the properties dialog. Under the Text section, you can add a heading in Line 1 and enable Show Give the appropriate title of your chart and click on Apply button.

• Click the highlighted pencil icon to change the color of the right Y-Axis on the chart.
• Expand the “Font Style” properties, then choose the desired color for the axis.

• Let’s add a postfix (e.g. % Sign) to the numeric values in the chart.
• Expand the “Label Text” property and add the postfix. Then click the “Apply All” button.

• To change the color of the left Y-axis, click the highlighted pencil icon.
• Expand the “Font Style” properties, then choose the desired color for the axis.

• Let’s add a prefix (e.g. $ Sign) to the numeric values in the chart.
• Expand the “Label Text” property and add the prefix value. Then click the “Apply All” button.

• Let’s add label properties on the left axis.
• Click the pencil icon located next to “Chart Label Left”.
• This will open a properties dialog where you can add a heading under the “Text” section.
• In the “Line 1” field, enter the appropriate label and enable the “Show” option. Click the “Apply” button to save the changes.
• To ensure the changes remain, click the “Save Changes” button.

• The final chart will look as below.

Insights

• Sales figures were impressive in January, but the profit margin was not up to the mark.
• From January till May, profits and sales recorded low figures.
• From June to July, the profit margin showed an increasing trend and recorded its highest figure in July.
• Sales and profit margin dropped in August, a cause for concern.
• From September to December, the sales and profit margin remained steady.

How to Add a Secondary Y-Axis in Excel With an Example?

To install ChartExpo into your Excel, click this link.

Example: Dual Axis Line Chart

This section will use the Dual Axis Line Chart in Excel to visualize the table below. The aforementioned chart is one of the visualization designs with a secondary y-axis Excel.

Year	Purchase	Sales
2016	100000	150000
2017	60000	100000
2018	140000	200000
2019	120000	180000
2020	170000	200000
2021	130000	180000

To get started with ChartExpo, follow the easy steps below:

• Open the worksheet and click the Insert button to access the My Apps option.

• Click the My Apps button and click the See All button to view ChartExpo, among other add-ins.

• Select ChartExpo add-in and click the Insert button.
• Once the add-in has been installed successfully, you will see a list of the charts available.

• Once the interface below loads, click the Search box and type “Dual Axis Line Chart.”

• Select the sheet holding your data and click the Create Chart from the Selection button, as shown below.

• Check out the final chart below.

Benefits of Incorporating a Secondary Axis in Your Charts

• Data Comparison

When creating charts, you cannot overlook the benefits of data comparison. Adding a secondary axis is useful when comparing two different data sets with different units of measurement. It allows you to plot the two data sets on separate axes with appropriate scales. Thus, making it easier to compare them accurately.

• Improve Readability and Comprehension

Viewers can easily compare and contrast information displayed on separate axes from two data sources. This is very handy when working with data sets of varying scales. It allows you to accurately present both data sets without sacrificing clarity.

• Highlight Trends and Patterns

It can be difficult to accurately compare data sets with vastly different scales or units of measurement. Adding a secondary axis to a chart appropriately plots the two data sets. This highlights the trends and patterns from the data making gleaning insights easier.

• Avoid Misinterpretations

Adding a secondary axis to your chart can help avoid misinterpretations due to scaling issues. Plotting varying data sets on the same axis is inappropriate. It can make it difficult to see the trends in one data set. This can lead to incorrect conclusions or misinterpretations.

How to add a secondary axis in Excel enables you to plot the two data sets on separate axes with different scales. This makes it easier to see the trends in each set. Consequently, helps you make more accurate observations and conclusions from your data.

How to Add a Secondary Axis in Excel FAQs

Can you have more than 2 axes in Excel?

Yes, ChartExpo for Excel provides a solution to create dual/double-axis or Multi-axis charts. However, a maximum of two axes in a chart is recommended to avoid confusion.

Can you create a secondary axis in Excel?

Excel permits the addition of a secondary axis to charts for comparing data with different scales. Use ChartExpo for Excel to add a secondary axis. It provides several chart types with a secondary y-axis.

Are there any limitations to using a secondary axis in Excel?

Using a secondary axis in Excel has limits. Using too many axes in a chart might cause it to become cluttered and difficult to read. It is therefore recommended to use no more than two axes.

What is the purpose of adding a secondary axis in Excel?

The purpose of adding a secondary axis in Excel is to plot data of different scales. Especially when the data series have widely varying values or mixed data types. It allows for better visualization and comparison of different datasets.

Wrap Up

Business analytics relies heavily on data visualization. It allows decision-makers to understand the data better and make informed judgments. Data visualization also helps with stakeholder communication.

Charts present information in a format that is easier to understand and can be shared with others. A secondary axis is Excel’s most flexible and least intrusive charting feature. It helps you to compare data sets with different scales or measurement units. Thus, making it easier to make accurate observations and draw the right conclusions.

As we have discussed, secondary axes have several benefits. However, you should use secondary axes sparingly. Only add this feature when necessary since it can lead to more cluttered and confusing charts.

How do you add a secondary axis in Excel?

With ChartExpo, you can add a secondary axis to your chart.

The best part?

ChartExpo is easy to use, affordable, and flexible.

Why not give it a try?