How to☝️ Add a Secondary Axis in Google Sheets

To add a secondary axis to a chart in Google Sheets, first highlight the data, go to the Insert menu, and pick Chart. Next, select your chart, click on the three-dot menu on the chart to open the menu list, and choose the Edit chart option. Finally, open the Customize menu, pick Series, click on the series you need to add, and choose the axis you want to put on the chart.

Use the guide below to learn how to add and customize a secondary axis in Google Sheets in just a few clicks.

How to Insert a Second Y-Axis

This section will include an example of adding a secondary axis to your graph, which allows you to represent additional values.

  1. Select your data.
  2. Navigate to the Insert menu.
  3. Choose the Chart option from the list.

How to Insert a Chart

Just like that, you’ve added a chart.

The Chart in Google Sheets

  1. Click on the chart.
  2. Select the three-dot menu on your chart.
  3. Pick the Edit chart option.

The Edit chart option

  1. Click the Customize option once the Chart editor appears.
  2. Select Series.

The Customize option

  1. Choose the series you need to add.
  2. Pick the axis you want to put on your chart.

The Series option

Voila! Let’s move on.

Second Y-Axis

How to Customize a Secondary Y-Axis Label 

Let’s dig into the details of how to customize a secondary Y-axis.

Label Font

Change the label font to improve the visual aesthetics of your chart and make it easy to read your data. Check out the steps below to make this change:

  1. Double-click on the labels.
  2. In the Right vertical axis menu, click on Label font.

How to Customize a Secondary Y-Axis Label

  1. Choose the font that works best with your document.

Label Font

Just like that, the font will be updated to your new choice.

Just like that, the font will be updated to your new choice.

Label Font Size

It is very easy to change the size of your font by using the following method:

  1. Click on Label font size.
  2. Set the size.

Label Font Size

Easy as ABC!

Label Font Size in Google

Label Format

Changing the label format involves the use of bold or italic styles of fonts that can distinguish labels from other text or simply change their appearance.

  1. Go to the Label format section.
  2. Pick the format you want.

Label Format

See how this can improve your chart style!

Label Format in Google Sheets

Text Color

Try changing the font color to customize the labels here using the tips provided below:

  1. Tap on the Text color option.
  2. Choose the color that works best for your chart.

Text Color

Piece of cake!

Text Color in Google Sheets

Scale Factor

You may want to adjust the scale of your secondary axis so that it more accurately reflects the data you’re trying to display. If so, take a look at how to do this:

  1. Go to the Scale factor option.

Scale Factor

  1. Set the scale you need.

The Scale Factor Option

Here’s what you get: 

Scale Factor in Google Sheets

Number Format

If you need to change the number format for your labels, you can use the guide below to organize your values correctly in relation to the graph and data.

  1. Go to the Number format section.

Number Format

  1. Choose the format you need to represent your data.

The Currency Number Format

Voila!

Number Format in Google Sheets

These steps should be followed for any axis that you need to personalize.

The Chart

That’s it! Here is how it looks.

How to Add and Modify Gridlines and Ticks for the Secondary Y-Axis

In this section, we are going to show you how you can easily add and customize gridlines and ticks in just a few seconds.

  1. Double-click on the chart.
  2. Click on the Customize option.
  3. Choose the Gridlines and ticks menu.

How to Add and Modify Gridlines and Ticks for the Secondary Y-Axis

  1. Check the marks to add gridlines and ticks.

Gridlines and Ticks

Here is what that looks like:

Gridlines and Ticks in Google Sheets

  1. Click on the Gridline color option.
  2. Set the color you need.

The Gridline color option

Easy as 1-2-3!

Gridline color

Next, let’s deal with ticks.

  1. Go to the Ticks position section.

The Ticks position section

  1. Select the position you need.
  2. Choose the Ticks length option. 

The Ticks length option

  1. Choose the length you want for your chart.

Ticks length

11. Click on Line thickness.

Line thickness

  1. Set the thickness you prefer. 
  2. Move to the Line color option.

The Line color option

14. Pick the color you like.

Colors in Google Sheets

Congratulations! You have personalized your chart!

The Chart with Secondary Axis in Google Sheets

Secondary Axis in Google Sheets FAQs

You can learn more about this topic in the FAQs below.

What is a secondary Y-axis in Google Sheets?

A secondary Y-axis is an axis that appears on the side of your Google Sheets graph. For example, if you have data that goes from 1 to 10 and another dataset that goes from 100 to 1000, adding a secondary Y-axis can help you visualize both sets of data at the same time.

What is the purpose of adding a secondary Y-axis?

There are various reasons why you might add a secondary Y-axis to a graph in Google Sheets. For example, if you’re graphing two sets of data that have different units of measurement, you can use a secondary Y-axis to ensure that both sets of data are represented accurately on the same graph. By doing so, you will be able to better visualize the information that you have presented in your graph.

Which chart types allow adding a secondary axis?

Currently, the secondary axis can be added to the line, area, and column charts.

Can I add a secondary Y-axis to a combo chart?

Yes, you can add a secondary Y-axis to a combo chart in Google Sheets. To do this, you need to double-click on the chart you want to change, navigate to the Customize option in the Chart editor menu, and go to Series.

Can I add a secondary Y-axis to a combo chart

Next, choose the series to which you want to apply additional values, and select the axis. 

Series

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Daniel Smith
Daniel Smith
Daniel Smith is automation consultant with a passion for technology, data, AI, and machine learning.