Creating a dual axis chart in Excel for Mac can be a useful tool when you want to show two data types on the same chart that share the same horizontal axis. For instance, you may want to display sales and gross margins for the past four years in the same chart. This is where a dual axis chart can come in handy.
To create a dual axis chart in Excel for Mac, follow these simple steps:
Step 1: Select the Data
First, you need to select the data that you want to display on the chart. This includes the sales and gross margin data for the past four years.
Step 2: Insert Chart
Next, go to the insert tab and under the chart group, click “recommended charts.” You will see a list of charts that Excel thinks would fit your data. In our case, we can select the first suggestion. Another option is to select from the chart group the option combo clustered column chart – line on secondary axis. However, in this case, Excel does not recognize the year as the horizontal axis.
Step 3: Fix Horizontal Axis
To fix this, go to chart design and click on “select data.” In the new window, copy the Y values for year to the horizontal category axis labels box and delete the year from the legend entries by clicking the minus sign and then click ok.
And there you have it! You have successfully created a dual axis chart in Excel for Mac. By following these simple steps, you can now visualize two data types together on the same chart.
In conclusion, creating a dual axis chart can be a powerful tool when you need to display two data types on the same chart in Excel for Mac. Remember to select your data, insert your chart, and fix your horizontal axis if needed. With these steps, you can create dual axis charts with ease.