How to Add Secondary Axis in Excel Charts

- Written by Puneet

The first step to create advanced Excel charts is to learn how to add a secondary axis in a chart. If you look at the below two charts, in the first chart you have two different data column series but the axis is the same.

how to add secondary axis excel chart

The problem with the first chart is, both of the series have a different data range but the same axis. But in the second chart, you have a different axis for both of the data series which makes it easy to understand.

Steps for Adding a Secondary Axis in Your Chart

Here are the simple steps you need to follow to create a dual axis.

  • Select the data series for which you want to add a secondary axis.
select the data series to create a secondary axis
  • Right Click on it and go to Format Data Series ➜ Series Option ➜ Activate Secondary Axis.
  • Now, you have two scales in your chart.
your final excel chart with secondary axis

Alternate Method

  • Select the data series for which you want to add a secondary axis.
  • Go to Format Tab ➜ Current Selection ➜ Format Selection ➜ Format Data Series ➜ Series Option ➜ Activate Secondary Axis.
click on format selection to add secondary axis to an excel chart

More on Charting

9 thoughts on “How to Add Secondary Axis in Excel Charts”

  1. The alternate method worked for me, finally, after searching on google when most answers didn’t work so thank you legend

    Reply
  2. This only seems to work if they are different chart types – if you try column chart type for both, they “appear” like a stacked column – and you cant separate them

    Reply
  3. Secondary axis does not show as an option for a data set with data points in hh:mm or mm:ss (but it will show when I work with regular numbers). Any work around for data points expressed in time to create secondary axis?

    Reply
  4. I have seen your charts simply superb bro. I would like to know VBA. If it is possible please help me.

    Reply

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