Chart Types

Each chart type has different attributes which can be further customised for your data.
The type of chart you will use is normally determined by the type of the data although trial and error is often the best way to find the most suitable chart type.
It is best to choose a chart type that conveys the message in the simplest possible way.

Line and XY Scatter Charts

There is often some confusion with these two chart types.
Both these chart types can display their data in line or marker format.
An XY Scatter chart is often used when the x-values are numeric.
A line chart is often used when the x-values are text or dates.
Even when a line chart is used with numeric values the numbers are treated as text.

How to change the Chart Type ?

There are three ways you can change the chart type after the chart has been created.

The maximum number if series does ddepend on the chart type.
And some chart types also require a minimum number of series, for example high-low must have 3.

Make sure that your default chart is the one which you use most often.
The default chart is a 2D clustered column chart using the Office theme.
SS of default chart.

If you are creating a lot of charts, changing the default chart type can save you a lot of time.

You can change the default chart type to any of the chart types listed on the Insert Chart dialog box
It is even possible to use one of the charts from the Templates folder.
To quickly display the Insert Chart dialog box click on the Dialog Launcher button from the (Insert tab, Charts group).
Alternatively click on any chart type drop-down (Insert tab, Column) and choose All Chart Types.
Click the "set as default chart" option.

Combination Charts

This chart contains 2 data series, a line series and a column series.
The two series have also been plotted on different axes.

Create the default chart.

Change the 2nd series to a line
Select the individual series and select (Chart > Chart Type)
Change the chart type to a line.
Notice that the other series remains as a column.
When two series are plotted on different axes the axes are scaled independently
When you use two axes you must ensure that you indicate which series is plotted on which axis

Move the series to the other axis
2D charts can actually have two axes.
When a chart have more than one series you can choose which axis is ised for each series.
Double click on the series and select Axis tab.

When you select to include a secondary sxis you will only get a second Y-axis added to the chart.
You can change the Chart Options to select whatever combination of priomary and secondary axes you want

It is possible to create charts that apply different chart types to different data series.
For example you might want to display one series as a row of columns and another as a line.

This type of chart is known as a combination chart, since it contains a combination of chart types.
Combining different chart types on the same chart lets you display more complicated data.

How can I create a Combination Chart ?

To create a chart with a combination of chart types you must first create the chart with a single chart type.
Select the individual data series and select (Format > Chart Type).
You can select an individual series and change the chart type of just that particular series.
You can create combination charts which contain two or more different chart types. For example a chart that has a bar series and a line series. Not all chart types can be used in a combination chart.
You can change the chart type for an individual series by selecting the series instead of the chart area.
To include more than one chart type in a chart, click a data series and change its chart type (Chart > Chart Type).
This allows you to add (and save) your custom chart types as well as formatting ??
The legend will normally reflect any changes made to the chart types.
There are some chart types that you cannot combine on the same chart
     ● Bar and Column charts
     ● 2D and 3D charts
An error message will be displayed if you try and combine 2 chart types that are not compatible.

If you have used a combination chart to plot different data series against different scales on two axes, it is always a good idea to indicate which series goes with which axes.
You could colour each axes the same colour as the corresponding data series.

Adding a Second Axis

When the values for two data series are very different it is impossible to find a scale that suits both.
It is often useful to add a second axis to your chart when you use a combination of chart types.
This can help to identify individual values.
A chart that contain two axes is a simple example of a combination chart.
To add a secondary axis, choose (Chart Options, Axes tab) and tick the relevant check box.

Templates

Allows you to save all the formatting that has been applied to a chart as a template so it can be quickly applied to subsequent charts.

Once you have created and formatted your chart it is possible to save it as a template so it can be used again.
Click on the chart and select (Chart Tools, Design tab)(Save As Template)
This will display the Save Chart Template dialog box
SS

All your chart templates are saved in the following folder

Excel 365 - C:\Users\"user name"\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Templates\Charts\ 
Excel 2024 - C:\Users\"user name"\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Templates\Charts\ 
Excel 2021 - C:\Users\"user name"\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Templates\Charts\ 
Excel 2019 - C:\Users\"user name"\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Templates\Charts\ 
Excel 2016 - C:\Users\"user name"\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Templates\Charts\ 

All your chart templates have a ".crtx" file extension
All your chart templates save the exact colours with reference with reference to a specific theme.

SS Change Chart Type
"Manage Templates"

Applying a Template

SS - Change Chart Type
Select Templates on LHS

Remember

You cannot mix 2 dimensional charts and 3 dimensional charts on the same chart.
Some chart types do not have axes, for example pie charts and doughnut charts.
It is possible to change the chart type to a custom chart type which has an option for a "Chart on 2 axes" although a more general approach is to use the "??" dialog box.
Excel does not support 3D combination charts.