Author: Oscar Cronquist Article last updated on October 10, 2018

The image above demonstrates a line chart containing two data series and two y-axes, one for each data series. I changed the color of the y-axes so they match the corresponding color of the data series.

A secondary y-axis is very useful if the data points of the second data series are way off. You won't be able to read the chart if they share the same y-axis, here is an example:

This chart shows two data series, however, only one is readable. Here is how to add a secondary axis:

  1. Double-click on one of the two data series in the chart to open the task pane.
  2. Go to tab "Series Options".
  3. Select "Secondary Axis".

Add y-axes lines

  1. Double-click on left y-axis values to open the settings pane.
  2. Go to tab "Fill & Line"
  3. Expand Line settings.
  4. Click "Solid Line"
  5. Pick a color.
  6. Repeat steps 1 to 5 with the right y-axis.

Add major tick marks

  1. Go to tab "Axis options".
  2. Expand "Tick Marks" settings.
  3. Pick a major type tick mark.
  4. Repeat step 1 to 3 with the right y-axis.

Change the right y-axis boundary

The data series collide and to make it better looking we can adjust the upper and lower y-axis range.

  1. Double-click the right y-axis to open the settings pane.
  2. Expand "Axis Options".
  3. Change Maximum to 0.2
  4. Close the settings pane.

 

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