top of page

You are learning Creating Charts and Graphs in MS Excel

How to create a chart with mixed data types (text and numbers)?

There are two main approaches to creating a chart with mixed data types (text and numbers) in Excel:

1. Combo Charts:

Combo charts are the most versatile option for displaying mixed data. They allow you to combine different chart types on the same chart, catering to the specific data you want to visualize.

Here's how to create a combo chart:

* Select your data: Ensure your data includes both text and numeric values.
* Insert the chart: Go to the "Insert" tab and navigate to the "Charts" group. Click on the "Recommended Charts" button or choose "All Charts" depending on your preference.
* Choose a Combo Chart: In the resulting menu, select the "Combo" option.
* Select chart types: A new window will appear with various combo chart options. Choose the combination of chart types that best suits your data. For example, you might use clustered columns for numeric data and a line chart for text data representing trends.
* Assign chart types to data series: By default, Excel assigns chart types to your data series. You can adjust this by clicking on a data series and selecting a different chart type in the "Chart Design" tab.
* Format the chart: Customize the chart elements like titles, labels, and colors using the "Chart Design" and "Format" tabs on the ribbon.

2. Separate Charts:

If the text data provides categories or labels for the numeric data, you can create separate charts for better clarity.

* Prepare your data: Organize your data with the text labels in one column and the numeric data in another.
* Create separate charts: Use the appropriate chart type (e.g., bar chart) for the numeric data and consider a text box or legend to associate it with the text labels.

Choosing the Right Approach:

The best method depends on how the text data relates to the numeric data.

* Use combo charts when the text data represents trends or additional information you want to visualize alongside the numeric values.
* Use separate charts when the text data provides labels or categories for the numeric data, and separate visualizations offer better clarity.

By understanding these approaches, you can effectively create charts that accurately represent your mixed data in Excel.

bottom of page