How to Create a Combo Chart in Google Sheets?

A Combination Chart is a must-have tool in a professional’s arsenal that frequently works with data.

Why?

Combo Charts in Google Sheets can help you save a lot of space in your dashboard. This is because it lets you display insights into two different metrics in a single view.

Here’s an interesting fact.

Combination Graphs perform the job of two diagrams. Your dashboard does not have to appear crowded with many charts. You can use this visualization design to save space.

You cannot find a ready-made Combination Graph in Google Sheets. This is because the tool comes with raw and basic charts that need more editing time.

You don’t have to do away with Google Sheets for other expensive tools. You can supercharge it by installing third-party add-ons to access Google Sheets Combo Chart templates.

In this blog, you’ll learn the following:

Table of Content:

1. How to Make a Combo Chart in Google Sheets Using Its Editor?
   1. Step 1: Select Data Range
   2. Step 2: Open the Chart Editor
   3. Step 3: Select Chart Type
   4. Step 4: Add a Line to the Chart
   5. Step 5: You’ve Created a Combo Graph
   6. Step 6: Customize Your Combo Chart
2. How to Create Combo Charts in Google Sheets?
   1. Step 1: Arrange Data For Combo Chart
   2. Step 2: Install ChartExpo Add-In
   3. Step 3: Click the Add New Chart
   4. Step 4: Select Combo Chart
   5. Step 5: Edit And Create Chart Button
   6. Step 6: Final Combo Chart Below
3. How to Create a Combo Chart in Google Sheets: FAQs
4. Wrap Up

Video Tutorial: How to Create in Combo Chart Google Sheets

How to Make a Combo Chart in Google Sheets Using Its Editor?

Step 1: Select Data Range

Start by highlighting the range of data you want to include in your combo chart. Ensure it includes all the categories and values for both the bar and line components.

Step 2: Open the Chart Editor

Go to the Insert menu and select Chart. This will open the Chart Editor on the right side of your Google Sheet.

Step 3: Select Chart Type

In the Chart Editor, navigate to the Setup tab and choose Combo Chart as the chart type from the dropdown menu.

Step 4: Add a Line to the Chart

Under the Customize tab, assign one data series to be represented as a line. This helps distinguish it from the bar data visually.

Step 5: You’ve Created a Combo Graph

Your combo chart is now ready, combining both bar and line elements to present data in a versatile and insightful way.

Step 6: Customize Your Combo Chart

Use the customization options to adjust the colors, labels, gridlines, and legends to match your preferences and improve readability.

• Edit Style in the Chart

How to Create Combo Charts in Google Sheets?

We acknowledge that Google Sheets is one of the most-used data visualization tools by professionals and businesses worldwide. Besides, the spreadsheet app has been there for years, plus it’s familiar to many.

However, this does not mean you should settle for less.

In other words, if your goal is to create insightful and easy-to-interpret charts, you’ve got to think beyond the basic Combination Diagrams in Google Sheets.

To access insightful and visually appealing Combination Charts in Google Sheets, install third-party apps (add-ons).

There are thousands of add-ons created purposely for Google Sheets. To save you time, we’ve tested hundreds and narrowed them down to one.

ChartExpo ticks all the boxes for the following:

• Ease of use
• Ease of access
• Number of intuitive and advanced charts available
• Affordability

If you aim to create a lean visualization dashboard and extract insights into two different variables in your data, your go-to chart maker should be ChartExpo.

In the coming section, you’ll learn how to install ChartExpo add-in to access advanced Google Sheets Combo Charts.

Step 1: Arrange Data For Combo Chart

Let’s visualize the data below using one of the many Combination Charts in ChartExpo (Double Axis Line and Bar Chart)

Months	Revenue	Profit Margin
Jan	5,000	5
Feb	2,500	10
Mar	3,600	7
Apr	3,250	14
May	1,975	19
Jun	1,874	20
Jul	3,952	6
Aug	2,222	9
Sep	4,260	4
Oct	3,300	22
Nov	1,500	17
Dec	1,160	9

• To visualize the data (above) using Combo Charts, copy and paste it into your Google Sheets.

Step 2: Install ChartExpo Add-In

• Head to the Add-on button>ChartExpo — Best Data Visualization Tool button>Open.
  

Step 3: Click the Add New Chart

• Click the Add New Chart button to access your fully stocked library of charts.

Step 4: Select Combo Chart

• Click the Search Box and type “Double Axis Line and Bar Chart.” It should pop up together with other charts.
• Select the sheet holding your data and select the Metrics option. Fill in the numerical numbers (in our scenario, we’ll fill in revenue and profit margin)
• Select the Dimensions button and fill in the dimensional data (in our example, we’ll use months)
• How to make Google Sheets Combo Chart does not have to be complex. ChartExpo makes the whole process seamless and easy.

Step 5: Edit And Create Chart Button

• Finish the simple process by clicking the Create Chart button.
• If you follow the instructions (above), your Progress Chart should look like this (below).

Step 6: Final Combo Chart Below

Insights

• The profit margin was sky-high in January and almost rock bottom in December.
• October had the highest revenue.
• September had the lowest revenue during the financial year.
• Profit margin in May and June was low despite high revenues.

How to Create a Combo Chart in Google Sheets: FAQs

Can I create a Combo Chart using pivot table data?

Yes, you can create a Combo Chart using pivot table data. First, create the pivot table, then select the pivot table range and insert a Combo Chart.

Can I use a Combo Chart to display stacked bars and lines?

Yes, you can create stacked bars and lines in a Combo Chart by setting one series to a stacked bar and another to a line.

How do I make a Combo Chart show only the most recent data?

Filter the data range to include only the most recent data points, or use a dynamic range that updates based on the most recent entries.

Wrap Up

Visualizing complex data with varying metrics should never be a nerve-wracking or time-consuming affair. Yes, you read that right.

It turns out there’s a visualization design called Google Sheets Combo Chart that’s best suited for the job (above). Why?

The Combination Graph can help you save a ton of space in your dashboard by displaying varying variables in your data within a single chart.

We recommend you avoid over-relying on Google Sheets, especially if your goal is to create simple-to-interpret charts.

Why?

Google Sheets Combo Charts are very basic and require a lot of effort and time to edit. But we’re not recommending you to do away with the freemium spreadsheet application.

We recommend installing third-party applications (add-ons), such as ChartExpo, into your Google Sheets to access advanced Combo Charts.

ChartExpo is an add-on you can easily download and install in your Google Sheets. Besides, this tool comes loaded with insightful and easy-to-interpret Combination Charts, plus over 50 more advanced charts.

You don’t need programming or coding skills to visualize your data with the ChartExpo add-on.

Sign up for a 7-day free trial today to access easy-to-interpret and visually appealing Combo Visualization Designs.

Related Article:

• How to Create a Combo Chart in Excel: Step-By-Step
• Google Sheets Charts