How to Add or Remove a Secondary Axis in Excel Charts

Adding a secondary axis in Excel lets you plot two data series that have very different scales on the same chart, making both trends visible without one overwhelming the other. Removing it returns the chart to a single axis. This guide works for Excel 2016 and later, including Microsoft 365. You’ll need a chart that already contains at least two data series.

What You’ll Need

A Microsoft Excel worksheet with data for at least two series you want to compare.
An existing chart (column, line, bar, or combo) created from that data.
Excel 2016 or newer (steps are nearly identical in older versions, but menus may look slightly different).

Step-by-Step

Add a Secondary Axis

Select the data series you want to plot on the secondary axis. Click directly on the series in the chart (e.g., the line or bars). If you have trouble clicking, use the dropdown in the Chart Elements button (the plus sign next to the chart) or the Format tab’s Current Selection group to pick the series by name.
Open the Format Pane. Right-click the selected series and choose Format Data Series. Alternatively, double-click the series.
Choose the secondary axis. In the Series Options pane (usually the first icon), look for Plot Series On. Select Secondary Axis. The chart will immediately update, adding a new vertical axis on the right side.
Adjust the axis scale (optional). Right-click the new secondary axis and select Format Axis. Here you can set minimum, maximum, and major unit values to better fit your data.
Change the chart type (optional). If you want one series as a line and the other as columns, right-click the series you moved to the secondary axis, choose Change Series Chart Type, and pick the desired type (e.g., Line). Excel will keep the secondary axis assignment.

Remove a Secondary Axis

Click the secondary axis (the numbers on the right side of the chart) to select it. You’ll see selection handles.
Press the Delete key on your keyboard. The axis disappears, and the series that used it will revert to the primary axis.
Alternative method: Right-click the secondary axis and choose Delete from the context menu.
If the series doesn’t revert, right-click the series, go to Format Data Series, and under Plot Series On select Primary Axis.

Common Mistakes

Selecting the entire chart instead of a single series. When you right-click the chart, you get chart options, not series options. Always click directly on the data series (the line, bars, or points).
Using a secondary axis for series with the same scale. This can mislead viewers by exaggerating differences. Only use it when the scales are genuinely different (e.g., units vs. percentages).
Forgetting to label the axes. A secondary axis without a clear title is confusing. Add axis titles from the Chart Elements button.
Deleting the series instead of the axis. If you select the series and press Delete, you remove the data, not the axis. Be careful with your selection.

Tips

Use a combo chart (e.g., column + line) for the clearest visual. Go to Insert > Combo Chart and choose the type that fits your data.
Set the secondary axis to start at zero if you want to compare relative changes fairly. Right-click the axis, format it, and set Minimum to 0.
Color-code the series to match the axis. For example, make the line blue and the secondary axis title blue, so readers know which axis belongs to which series.
Keep the number of data points manageable. Too many points on a secondary axis can clutter the chart.

Troubleshooting

I can’t select the series. Click the chart, then go to the Format tab under Chart Tools. In the Current Selection group, use the dropdown to choose the series by name, then click Format Selection.
The secondary axis option is grayed out. This happens when you’ve selected the chart area, not a data series. Click directly on the line or bars first.
After removing the axis, the series disappears. This usually means you deleted the series, not the axis. Press Ctrl+Z to undo, then try again by right-clicking the axis itself.
The chart doesn’t show both series clearly. Check the axis scales. If the primary axis has a huge range (e.g., 0-1000) and the secondary has a small one (0-1), adjust the secondary axis minimum and maximum to better match your data.
I added a secondary axis but the chart looks the same. Ensure the series you moved is actually different in scale. If both series have similar values, the secondary axis may not be visible because the scales are close. Try formatting the secondary axis to a different scale.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I have more than one secondary axis?

Excel only supports one secondary vertical axis per chart. If you need three different scales, consider creating separate charts or using a different visualization method.

Why does my secondary axis not show all the data?

Check the axis minimum and maximum values. If the secondary axis range is too narrow, some data points may be cut off. Right-click the axis, go to Format Axis, and adjust the bounds.

How do I add a secondary axis to a scatter plot?

Scatter plots work the same way: select the data series, right-click, choose Format Data Series, and select Secondary Axis. However, scatter plots typically use two axes for X and Y, so a secondary Y axis is less common.

Can I remove the secondary axis but keep the series on it?

Yes, deleting the axis will automatically move the series back to the primary axis. If it doesn’t, manually set the series to Primary Axis in the Format Data Series pane.

What’s the difference between a secondary axis and a combo chart?

A combo chart is a chart type that allows different chart types (e.g., column and line) for each series. A secondary axis is a scaling feature that can be used with any chart type. You can use both together.

Why do my axis labels overlap after adding a secondary axis?

This often happens when the primary and secondary axes have similar scales. Try adjusting the number format of one axis (e.g., show fewer decimal places) or increase the chart area size.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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