Here is an interesting chart from Economist, ironically titled The weight of the world. Can you tell what is wrong with it?
That’s right. The coloring of dots is unnecessary. The color scale dots add an extra layer of complexity to the chart. They are redundant.
So there you go. A simple but effective rule. Don’t add redundant colors or extra layers to your chart. Your users are smart, so let them decode the chart.
Make awesome charts every time…
Check out these additional charting principles and case studies to make awesome charts.
8 Responses to “Create a Combination Chart, Add Secondary Axis in Excel [15 Second Tutorial]”
[...] Select the “daily completed” column and add it to the burn down chart. Once added, change the chart type for this series to bar chart (read how you can combine 2 different chart types in one) [...]
[...] set the height series to be plotted on secondary axis. Learn more about combining 2 chart types and adding secondary axis in [...]
[...] Excel Combination Charts – What are they? [...]
[...] To show the years, I have used another dummy series and plotted it on secondary axis (related: how to add secondary axis?) [...]
Thanks for this one!
[...] Choisissez la colonne « Daily Completed » et ajoutez-la au graphique. Une fois ajoutée, changez le type de graphique pour cette série à histogramme (lisez comment combiner 2 types de graphiques en un : combine 2 different chart types in one) [...]
How do i create a chart that has negative numbers on axis x and y and plot them correctly? I cannot seem to understand how to do this, please help.
Thanks.
Nat
You can also plot 2 or more Y axes in Excel using EZplot or Multy_Y from Office Expander.com
There is a demo version to try.
Cheers.