Combination (Bar/Line) Charts

Combination charts combine some of the strengths of bar charts with the advantages of line charts. Solid bars can be used for the most important data against which other dimensions are represented in lines. In this way, emphasis is given to a portion of data based on its importance. A combination chart is especially useful for comparing two numeric values, such as amount and units of sales.

To create a combination chart that compares values:

Select Bar-Line from the Chart drop-down list box.
Drag two values from Elements to the y pane in the data layout.
Drag label items from Elements to x pane and z pane in the data layout.

To create a combination chart that compares categories within a label:

Select Bar-Line from the Chart drop-down list box.
Drag a value item from Elements to the z pane in the data layout.
Drag one or more value items from Elements to the y pane in the data layout.

Drag a label to the x pane in the data layout.

Note:

A combination chart is most effective when the y pane contains only two value items. It represents one value as bars and the other value as a line. When more than two values are present, the chart alternates between bars and lines in depicting the values (1st, 3rd, 5th … items are bars; 2nd, 4th, 6th … items are lines).

To display line values, select Show Line Values on the shortcut menu.

To display bar values:

Select Show Bar Values on the shortcut menu.
Select the placement of the values on the bar:
- Inside
- Over
- Outside
- None

To show the gap between bars, click a bar and select Show Bar Gap on the shortcut menu.

To show the borders of a bar, click a bar and select Show Bar Border.

To toggle fact values as bar or line, click an item in the Fact pane, and select either Display as Line or Display as Bar.