← ACARA Digital Technologies Years 9–10

Combination chart with a secondary axis

A chart that mixes types, like columns plus a line, and puts one series on a secondary axis so two data sets with different units, such as sales and temperature, can be read together.

Part of: ACARA Digital Technologies Years 9–10 — Analysing and Visualising Data — Module 36

Understanding Combination chart with a secondary axis in ACARA Digital Technologies Years 9–10

What it does: Change Series Chart Type lets you give each series its own type, such as columns for sales and a line for temperature. Each axis needs its own title because the two series use different units, so the reader can tell which scale matches which series. Both axes must be labelled with their units, otherwise the chart is confusing and could be misread.

Common mistakes: A combo chart mixes columns plus a line. A pie chart cannot share axes with a line, so Sales should be "column". The chart must be a "combo" chart so that one series can be a line and another a column. A plain column chart cannot mix chart types.

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Free printable worksheet with full answer key — or add this module to a class and your students practise it interactively.

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This module's key terms are also in a printable crossword (Modules 378–412) and word search (Modules 333–412).

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Learning
Duo
Which situation needs a combination chart with a secondary axis?
Plotting monthly sales ($) and average temperature (°C) togetherPlotting sales ($) for four different shops
Matches
Sales ($0-$5000) and Temperature (10-40) both plotted on one primary axis
↓
The temperature values are tiny next to the sales values, so the temperature line looks flat. Tick Secondary Axis for the temperature series.
Applying
Meanings
Term
Combo chart
Meaning
A chart that mixes types, like columns plus a line, and puts one series on a secondary axis so two data sets with different units, such as sales and temperature, can be read together.
Practice
Select A1:D8, then Insert > Combo Chart
Testing
Gaps
Temp: type =
Check Answer
Spots
1data = A1:C8
2Sales.type = "pie"

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Quick Questions

1. Which situation needs a combination chart with a secondary axis?
A. Plotting monthly sales ($) and average temperature (°C) together ✓
B. Plotting sales ($) for four different shops
Dollars and degrees have very different scales and units. A secondary axis lets both series be read clearly on one chart.
2. A student wants sales as columns and temperature as a line. What is the best set-up?
A. Columns for sales, a line for temperature on the secondary axis ✓
B. Columns for both series on the same primary axis
A combo chart mixes chart types. Putting the line on a secondary axis keeps small temperature values from being squashed flat next to big sales values.
3. Which command do you use to turn one series into a line in an existing column chart?
A. Remove Duplicates
B. Change Series Chart Type ✓
Right-click the series and choose Change Series Chart Type. Then pick Line and tick Secondary Axis.
4. Why does a line of temperatures (10 to 35) look flat on the same axis as sales ($0 to $5000)?
A. Spreadsheets cannot plot temperatures
B. The axis scale is set by the bigger numbers, so the small values are squashed ✓
One axis has only one scale. A secondary axis gives the smaller series its own scale so its pattern is visible.
5. A combo chart has two vertical axes. What should you do with their titles?
A. Label both axes with their units, like Sales ($) and Temperature (°C) ✓
B. Label only the left axis because the right one is obvious
Readers must know which series each axis belongs to. Labelling both axes with units avoids confusion.

Match the Pairs

Combo chart → A chart that mixes types, such as columns plus a line, so two data sets can be shown together
Secondary axis → A second vertical axis on the right side with its own scale, used for a series with different units
Show sales as columns and temperature as a line on the same chart → Change Series Chart Type > Clustered Column + Line
Label both axes so the reader knows each unit, such as dollars on the left and degrees on the right → Axis Titles > Primary Vertical + Secondary Vertical
Sales ($0-$5000) and Temperature (10-40) both plotted on one primary axis → The temperature values are tiny next to the sales values, so the temperature line looks flat. Tick Secondary Axis for the temperature series.
Combo chart with a secondary axis but only one axis title: 'Sales ($)' → The secondary axis has no title, so the reader cannot tell the unit of the line. Add a title such as 'Temperature (°C)'.

Key Term

Combo chart
A chart that mixes types, like columns plus a line, and puts one series on a secondary axis so two data sets with different units, such as sales and temperature, can be read together.

Fill in the Blanks

1. Sales: type = column Temp: type = line
Hint: Type the chart type that shows the temperature series as a trend running across the columns.
2. series = "Temp" secondaryAxis = true
Hint: Type the Boolean value that moves this series onto the secondary axis.
3. Right-click > Change Series Chart Type
Hint: Type the menu command that lets you give each series its own chart type.
4. Primary axis title: "Sales ($)" Secondary axis title: "Temp (C)"
Hint: Type the word that names the second vertical axis, the one on the opposite side of the chart.
5. chart.type = combo Sales: column, axis = primary Temp: line, axis = secondary
Hint: Type the chart type name for a chart that mixes columns and a line.

Spot the Error

Question 1
A data = A1:C8
B Sales.type = "pie"
C Temp.type = "line"
D Temp.axis = "secondary"
Line B — A combo chart mixes columns plus a line. A pie chart cannot share axes with a line, so Sales should be "column".
Question 2
A chart.type = "column"
B Rain.type = "column"
C Temp.type = "line"
D Temp.axis = "secondary"
Line A — The chart must be a "combo" chart so that one series can be a line and another a column. A plain column chart cannot mix chart types.
Question 3
A chart.type = "combo"
B Sales.type = "column"
C Temp.type = "line"
D Temp.axis = "primary"
Line D — Sales (dollars) and temperature (degrees) have different units. Temp must go on the "secondary" axis, or its line would be squashed flat along the bottom.
Question 4
A Select A1:C8
B Right-click the chart title
C Pick Change Series Chart Type
D Set Temp to Line
E Tick Secondary Axis
Line B — Change Series Chart Type applies to one series, so you right-click the Temp series itself, not the chart title.
Question 5
A Rain.type = "column"
B Temp.type = "line"
C Temp.axis = "secondary"
D primaryTitle = "Temp (C)"
E secondaryTitle = "Temp (C)"
Line D — The primary (left) axis belongs to the Rain columns, so its title should be "Rainfall (mm)". Temp is on the secondary axis.

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