Microsoft KB Archive/192365

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XL98: How to Create a Column Chart with Two Y Axes

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The information in this article applies to:


 * Microsoft Excel 98 Macintosh Edition

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SUMMARY
In general, a combination or overlay chart must have a second y-axis. However, Microsoft Excel places the column series plotted on the secondary axis in front of the column series plotted against the primary axis. In many cases, the overlay series obscures or overlaps the primary series.

MORE INFORMATION
To work around this problem, follow the procedure below.

Instead of laying the data out as follows

  A1:         B1:   South  C1:  East D1:   North  E1:    Total Sales A2:  ABC   B2:   10     C2:  5    D2:   12     E2:    27 A3:  DEF   B3:   20     C3:  15   D3:   24     E3:    59 A4:  GHI   B4:   30     C4:  25   D4:   36     E4:    91 A5:  JKL   B5:   40     C5:  35   D5:   48     E5:    123 A6:  XYZ   B6:   50     C6:  45   D6:   60     E6:    155 use the following format:

  A1:         B1:   South  C1:  East   D1:  North  E1:   Total Sales A2:  ABC   B2:   10     C2:  5      D2:  12     E2: A3:        B3:          C3:         D3:         E3:   27 A4:  DEF   B4:   20     C4:  15     D4:  24     E4: A5:        B5:          C5:         D5:         E5:   59 A6:  GHI   B6:   30     C6:  25     D6:  36     E6: A7:        B7:          C7:         D7:         E7:   91 A8:  JKL   B8:   40     C8:  35     D8:  48     E8: A9:        B9:          C9:         D9:         E9:   123 A10: XYZ   B10:  50     C10: 45     D10: 60     E10: A11:       B11:         C11:        D11:        E11:  155 To work around this problem, follow these steps to create the sample chart:


 * 1) Using the second layout, select cells A1:E11.
 * 2) Start the ChartWizard. In Step 1, click Column under Chart Type, and click the first Chart Sub-type. Click Finish.
 * 3) In the chart, click the fourth data series ("Total Sales").
 * 4) On the Format menu, click Selected Data Series.
 * 5) On the Axis tab, click Secondary Axis and click OK.

The columns will now be displayed appropriately.

Additional query words: XL98

Keywords : kbdta kbchart

Version : MACINTOSH:98

Platform : MACINTOSH

Issue type : kbhowto

Technology :