How to make a combination chart
- Enter categories such as months in the first column, then one value column per series.
- In each column header, choose whether the series is drawn as Bars or a Line, and whether it uses the left or right axis.
- Give each axis a title in Customize → Axes so readers know which scale applies.
- Adjust line style, thickness and labels.
- Download your chart.
Data format
| Column | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Text | Required |
| Data series (one column each) | Number | 1–8 columns; blank cells allowed |
Up to 500 rows. Each value column is one series. In the column header, choose whether it is drawn as bars or a line and whether it uses the left or right axis. Use the right axis when series have different units.
Customization options
- Bar or line per series, chosen in the column header.
- Left and right value axes with independent scales and titles.
- Grouped bars when several series are bars.
- Straight or smooth lines, distinct marker shapes and value labels.
Downloading and exporting
- PNG: best for slides, documents and the web. It supports transparent backgrounds, and you can choose standard, 2×, 4× or slide-sized (1920 × 1080) output.
- JPEG: a smaller file with a solid background.
- SVG: a true vector file. It stays sharp at any size and can be edited in Illustrator, Inkscape or Figma.
- PDF: vector PDF sized to the chart, A4 or US Letter. If your labels use characters outside the standard PDF fonts (for example Chinese, Arabic or emoji), the PDF uses a high-resolution image instead and tells you.
- CSV and .json: your data, or the whole chart with its settings, to re-open later.
When to use a combination chart
- Showing a volume and a rate together, such as revenue and margin %, or visits and conversion rate.
- Showing actuals as bars against a target or average as a line.
- Comparing related measures with different units.
When to choose a different chart
- All series share the same unit. Use a bar graph or line graph.
- You are tempted to use two axes to imply a correlation. Dual axes can be tuned to make any two series look related.
Common mistakes to avoid
Unlabelled axes
With two scales, readers must know which series uses which axis. Always add both axis titles, and consider naming the axis in the series name, for example “Conversion rate (%)”.
Misleading alignment
Where two lines cross on a dual-axis chart has no meaning, because it depends on the scales. Don’t draw conclusions from crossings.
Too many series
Keep it to two or three series; any more and the chart becomes hard to decode.
Practical examples
Revenue and conversion
Revenue and orders as grouped bars on the left axis, and conversion rate as a line on the right axis.
Sales vs. target
Monthly sales as bars and target as a line on the same axis.
Weather
Rainfall (mm) as bars and temperature (°C) as a line on a second axis.
Using a secondary axis responsibly
A secondary axis lets two series with different units share one chart. Each axis is scaled independently. Axes that hold bars always include zero, so bar lengths stay honest, while line-only axes can start at zero or zoom to the data. Because the relationship between the two scales is arbitrary, use the chart to show two related facts side by side, not to claim one causes the other.
Frequently asked questions
How do I put a series on the right axis?
In that series’ column header, change “Left axis” to “Right axis”. A right-hand scale appears automatically.
How do I change bars to a line?
In the column header, change “Bars” to “Line”.
Can I have more than one line?
Yes. Any number of series can be lines and any number can be bars, up to 8 series.
Do bars always start at zero?
Yes. Any axis that holds bars includes zero so that bar lengths are proportional.
Is this the same as a dual-axis chart?
Yes. A combination chart with a series on the right axis is often called a dual-axis chart.
Your data stays private
Charts are drawn by your browser. Your data isn’t uploaded to our servers; it is kept only in this browser’s storage, for autosave and saved charts, until you clear it. See our privacy policy.