combined line and bar chart with two scales

[jbrowningParticipant]

I’m trying to compare two pieces of financial data which may or may not co-vary, but on very different scales. So I’ve got the big numbers as bars and the little ones as lines. I have two axes, one right and one left. But:

How do I set the scale of the right (smaller, second, axis)? Default is to use the same as the other. I see that I can sort of convert, but isn’t there an easier way?

How do I tell the plots of the lines of the smaller variables to plot against the second, right axis?

Conversely, can I plot the lines on their own scale, and then flip and overlay, of you see what I mean?

Lastly, how do I avoid the axis labels from being clipped from the graph window after I change them? And, for bonus points, can I skip axis labels to print, say, only every fourth to avoid the sort of overcrowding below?

 

[dgteamModerator]

 

To set the scale differently, you need to create a Split axis and then Join them.

Here is a link from our YouTube channel, where this is demonstrated: https://youtu.be/qgrfV0pUNP4?t=219

Briefly, there are three steps.

1 –  create the “split” using the button on the right side of the Canvas settings.

2 –  shift the data to the new axis using the schematic on the right side of the commands.

3 – click the same button you used to split the axis to  “join” the data.

We have a page on the Split axis that may also help, but I’m seeing we need to add another page on the Join functionality.  Any case, hopefully the video link above will help you.

It looks like what you have done so far is to add an Extra axis command, which can be thought of as a custom axis or extra scaling (different units for example), but the Extra axis does not change the scale.  Assuming that is what you have done, I would exclude it for now while you try the split axis.

I am hoping if you split and join the data that will resolve most of your first questions.

To provide more space for the axis labels, expand the Axis settings and change “Space for y”.  You can also edit the same setting by doing a control-click on the graph, as shown below.

 

In terms of changing, the axis labels, you can absolutely customize them.  How you do that can vary slightly depending on the command.

Are you using a Bar command or a Pivot command to plot the bars?

Also, is the x-axis a date?

 

 

[jbrowningParticipant]

Thanks for the prompt response! Figured out the split axis thing. As kindly feedback, the schematic to show which goes on which axis could be more self-evident. But I got there.

x-axis is a date. I now see that there is some stuff to modify / scale data points in the data section — which makes sense. Will get back to it tomorrow

Thanks again.

[jbrowningParticipant]

Oh yes… Bar command

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