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How to Display Two Data Sets on One Excel Chart--Two Vertical Axes, One Horizontal, on a Line Chart

PaulKimmel-5533 60 Reputation points
2026-04-28T02:37:49.03+00:00

In Excel, I can get two vertical axes to show (one on the left side of the chart, one on the right), but I cannot get the line to show that represents the second vertical axis. Contrary to an example DKoontz earlier provided to answer my problem, his left and right data were related. In my need, my left and right data are not related. He also said that my problem might be duplicate dates, but I am using but one horizontal axis, of dates.

Microsoft 365 and Office | Excel | For home | Windows
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Answer accepted by question author

Kai-H 18,190 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator
2026-04-28T09:57:32.4066667+00:00

Hi, PaulKimmel-5533

This usually happens when Excel is reading the second series or the date axis in a way that lets the axis appear, but not the line path itself. If the two datasets are unrelated, that is fine, but both still need to point cleanly to the same date column.

Besides the solutions provided by the Q&A Assist, here are some suggestions you can try:

Open Select Data and check the second series by hand. It is recommended that the series values point only to the right-hand value cells, and the horizontal axis labels point only to the date column. If the range got shifted, Excel can show the axis but fail to draw the line properly.

If that second dataset has any blank cells, open Hidden and Empty Cells and choose Connect data points with line. If needed, replace true blanks with =NA() or fill the missing values, because blanks can break the line.

Right-click the bottom axis and make sure it is set to Date axis, not Text axis. If Excel still behaves oddly, it is suggested that you switch the chart to XY Scatter with straight lines, using the same date column as the X values for both series. That often works better when Excel’s regular line chart treats the horizontal axis too loosely.

Thank you for your patience in reading, I hope this information has been helpful to you. 

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  1. AI answer

    2026-04-28T02:38:00.05+00:00

    To show two unrelated data sets on one Excel line chart with two vertical axes and a single horizontal (date) axis, use a combo chart with a secondary vertical axis and ensure the second series is assigned to that axis.

    Steps in Excel for Windows:

    1. Create the base chart
      1. Arrange data so the date column is on the left, and the two value columns (for left and right axes) are to the right.
      2. Select the full range, including the date column and both value columns.
      3. On the Insert tab, choose a Line chart (or any basic chart to start).
    2. Convert to a combo chart and add the secondary axis
      1. Click the chart to activate Chart Tools.
      2. Go to Design > Change Chart Type.
      3. Select Combo.
      4. For the first data series (left-axis data), leave it as Line and keep Secondary Axis unchecked.
      5. For the second data series (right-axis data), choose Line and check Secondary Axis.
      6. Click OK.
      This creates one line plotted against the primary vertical axis (left) and the other line plotted against the secondary vertical axis (right), both sharing the same horizontal date axis.
    3. If the second line still does not appear Check these points:
      • Confirm the second series is actually present in Change Chart Type and that Secondary Axis is checked for it.
      • Ensure the second series is not plotted as a chart type that hides it (for example, if it was set to a column type with very small values compared to the first series).
      • Verify that the values for the second series are numeric and not text; non-numeric values will not plot as a line.
      • If the scale of the secondary axis is very large or very small relative to the data, right-click the secondary vertical axis, choose Format Axis, and adjust the minimum/maximum bounds so the line falls within the visible range.
    4. Optional: Add axis titles for clarity (especially since the data sets are unrelated)
      1. Click the chart, then go to Chart Design > Add Chart Element.
      2. Choose Axis Titles and add titles for Primary Vertical and Secondary Vertical to make it clear which line corresponds to which scale.

    This approach works even when the two data sets are unrelated; they simply share the same date axis but use different vertical scales.

    References:

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