Many, many, many Excel users post this problem in user forums. And this one always throws me for a loop and takes me time to solve it. So I thought I would send it out to all the Excel enthusiasts to see if you can fix this Excel Chart.
The Problem:
1) Copy this Data into an Excel Worksheet
| A | B | C | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tea | Coffee | |
| 2 | Jan | 300 | 1000000 |
| 3 | Feb | 700 | 5000000 |
| 4 | Mar | 300 | 5000000 |
2) Highlight the Data and Create a 2-D Clustered Column Chart
However, my data series are not of the same scale, so, I decide to create 2 vertical axis’ so that the scales are distinct for the two data series. So then I go to the next step.
3) Move the tall orange columns to the secondary axis.
OOPS! This is not the chart I wanted 
. Why is my Excel charts now an Excel Stacked Colum Chart? I just want the two columns in my chart to be separated on 2 different vertical axis. How can I fix it?
This is the chart I really wanted:
How would you make this 2-D Clustered Column Chart with two vertical axis scales?
Copy the data from above and give it a try. Let me know how you would create this chart in the comments below. Regardless, comeback tomorrow and see how we can handle this using Excel Charts.
Steve=True
A “different approach” solution has been submitted. 🙂
Hi Pete, great job. The solution I have is a bit different. Thanks for sharing 🙂
1 Add two blank sets of data to left of Coffee
2 Create secondary axis with Coffee
3 In the legend bar delete Test1 and Test2
Workbook on the way
Awesome job, you nailed it!
Hi Steve!
I’ve just sent you a mail regarding the solution. The desired result can be achieved by inserting two blank columns between the series,keeping the ‘Tea’ & ‘Blank1’ series in Primary vertical Axis and ‘Blank2’ & ‘Coffee’ series in Secondary Vertical Axis. After a little bit of tweaking with ‘Gap Width’ & ‘Series Overlapping’, we can have the chart.
Good job Maruf and thanks for the graphic. It was very helpful!