Formatting Data Series and Markers

Excel provides plenty of options for formatting the appearance of both entire data series and individual markers within a series. We discussed some of these options earlier in this chapter (see "Formatting Lines and Borders" on page 635 and "Formatting Areas" on page 637). Here you'll look at a couple more.

Assigning a Series to a Secondary Axis

A secondary value axis makes it possible to compare data series that fall within divergent ranges. The secondary axis, positioned on the right, can have a completely different scale from the primary axis. You can assign as many series as you like to the secondary axis.

Figure 20-15 illustrates the use of a secondary axis. The series showing cost per square foot occupies a range so much smaller than that showing median square footage that it's difficult to know how or whether the two series relate to one another. Putting either series on a secondary axis solves the problem.

Figure 20-15: Moving either series to a secondary axis makes it easier to see whether and how the two sets of numbers might relate to one another.

To move a series to a secondary axis, right-click it, click Format Data Series, select the Series Options category, and then select Secondary Axis.

Using Two or More Chart Types in the Same Chart

As mentioned in Chapter 19, you can distinguish one or more data series from the rest of a chart by assigning it or them to a contrasting chart type. To do this, right-click a series, and click Change Series Chart Type.