How to Make a Combo Chart in Excel (2026)
Combo charts combine two chart types — usually bars with a line overlay — to show related metrics that don't share a scale. The classic use: revenue as bars, growth rate as a line, both on one chart with dual axes.
⚡ Quick Answer
Insert tab → Combo chart icon → "Clustered Column - Line" or "Custom Combination". Tick Secondary Axis for the series that needs its own scale.
Method 1: Preset combo chart
Select your data
At least two numeric series with headers.
Insert tab → Combo chart icon
Icon looks like a bar with a line through it. Dropdown shows presets.
Pick "Clustered Column - Line" or "Clustered Column - Line on Secondary Axis"
The second option adds a right-side Y-axis for the line.
Click to insert
Chart appears with bars for one series, line for the other.
Method 2: Custom combo chart
For full control over which series is which type:
Insert tab → Combo chart icon → Custom Combination
Or Insert Chart dialog → All Charts → Combo.
For each series, pick a chart type
Dropdown per series: Line, Bar, Area, Column, etc.
Tick "Secondary Axis" per series
For any series with a different scale.
Click OK
Chart builds with each series as the type you specified.
Method 3: Change series type after inserting
If you already have a chart:
Right-click a specific series → Change Series Chart Type
Change Chart Type dialog opens.
Change the type dropdown for that series
Every series is listed with its own dropdown.
Optional: tick Secondary Axis
For different scales.
Click OK
Chart updates.
Common combo chart use cases
Revenue and growth rate
Bars = revenue (dollars), Line = growth rate (percentage). Two different scales, one chart. Classic finance dashboard.
Actual vs. target
Bars = actual, Line = target. One color for hitting target, another for missing. Instant KPI chart.
Volume and price
Bars = units sold, Line = average selling price. Standard commercial analytics view.
Team headcount and productivity
Bars = headcount, Line = revenue per employee. Shows if adding people is paying off.
Marketing spend and CAC
Bars = ad spend, Line = customer acquisition cost. Rising CAC despite steady spend = warning signal.
When to use a secondary axis (and when not to)
Use a secondary axis when:
- Two series have wildly different scales (millions vs. percentages, revenue vs. count)
- The relationship between the two matters (trend correlation)
- Both series are relevant to the story
Don't use a secondary axis when:
- Both series are similar scales — single axis works
- Only one series is important — plot the other separately
- You're doing it to fill space or make the chart "look busier"
You can make almost any two series look correlated by manipulating the secondary axis scale. Be honest — if the relationship isn't real, don't fake it with axis tricks.
Formatting combo charts
Color coordination
Match the axis label color to the series color. Primary axis label + bars in one color; secondary axis label + line in another. Readers immediately know which axis goes with which series.
Line weight
Make the overlay line thick (2.5-3pt) so it doesn't disappear behind the bars. Add markers for exact-value readability.
Legend placement
Combo chart legends are essential — they tell readers which series is which. Bottom placement usually works; keep it compact.
Bar width
Default bars can be too fat when a line runs across them. Right-click bars → Format Data Series → Gap Width → 100% or 150%. Bars slim down, line becomes more visible.
Advanced combo patterns
Bullet chart (progress vs. target)
Bar for actual, line marker for target, background bars for zones (poor/OK/good). Built entirely as a combo chart. Excellent for KPI dashboards.
Stacked column + line overlay
Stacked columns for revenue-by-segment, line for total growth. Shows composition and trend simultaneously.
Bar + area
Area for total context, bars for specific category. Adds context without cluttering.
Combo charts take real setup effort. Once you build one that works — colors, axes, gap widths, line weights — right-click → Save as Template. For future charts of the same shape, apply the template in one click.
Combo charts from natural language
Combos are Excel's most powerful chart type — and its fussiest. Excel Wizard lets you describe what you want ("bar chart of quarterly revenue with a line showing YoY growth on a secondary axis") and it builds it with the right axes, formatting, and legend.
Install Excel Wizard →Frequently asked questions
How do I make a combo chart in Excel?
Select data with two or more series. Insert tab → Combo chart icon → pick 'Clustered Column - Line' or 'Custom Combination'. Choose the chart type for each series and tick Secondary Axis for any series with a different scale.
When should I use a secondary axis?
Use a secondary axis when two series have very different scales. If both series are on similar scales, a secondary axis creates confusion — one axis is enough.
How do I change one series to a different chart type?
Right-click the series you want to change → Change Series Chart Type. The dialog lists all series individually. Change the chart type per series. Tick Secondary Axis if needed.
Can I combine three chart types?
Yes. In Change Chart Type dialog, each series can have its own chart type. Three types usually creates clutter — two (bars + line) is the sweet spot.