Add or remove a secondary axis in a chart in Excel
Applies To
Excel for Microsoft 365 Word for Microsoft 365 PowerPoint for Microsoft 365 Excel for Microsoft 365 for Mac Word for Microsoft 365 for Mac PowerPoint for Microsoft 365 for Mac Excel for the web Excel 2024 PowerPoint 2024 Excel 2024 for Mac Word 2024 for Mac PowerPoint 2024 for Mac Excel 2021 Word 2021 PowerPoint 2021 Excel 2021 for Mac Word 2021 for Mac PowerPoint 2021 for Mac Excel 2019 Word 2019 PowerPoint 2019 Excel 2016 Word 2016 PowerPoint 2016When the numbers in a chart vary widely from data series to data series, or when you have mixed types of data (price and volume), plot one or more data series on a secondary vertical (value) axis. The scale of the secondary vertical axis shows the values for the associated data series. A secondary axis works well in a chart that shows a combination of column and line charts. You can quickly show a chart like this by changing your chart to a combo chart.
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Select a chart to open Chart Tools.
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Select Design > Change Chart Type.
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Select Combo > Cluster Column - Line on Secondary Axis.
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Select Secondary Axis for the data series you want to show.
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Select the drop-down arrow and choose Line.
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Select OK.
When the values in a chart vary widely from data series to data series, you can plot one or more data series on a secondary axis. A secondary axis can also be used as part of a combination chart when you have mixed types of data (for example, price and volume) in the same chart.
In this chart, the primary vertical axis on the left is used for sales volumes, whereas the secondary vertical axis on the right side is for price figures.
Do any of the following:
Add a secondary axis
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This step applies to Word for Mac only: On the View menu, click Print Layout.
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In the chart, select the data series that you want to plot on a secondary axis, and then click Chart Design tab on the ribbon.
For example, in a line chart, click one of the lines in the chart, and all the data marker of that data series become selected.
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Click Add Chart Element > Axes > and select between Secondary Horizontal or Second Vertical.
Add an axis title for a secondary axis
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This step applies to Word for Mac only: On the View menu, click Print Layout.
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In the chart, select the data series that you want to plot on a secondary axis, and then click Chart Design tab on the ribbon.
For example, in a line chart, click one of the lines in the chart, and all the data marker of that data series become selected.
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Click Add Chart Element > Axis Titles > and select between Secondary Horizontal or Second Vertical.
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