Chart & Visualization Issues

How to Create a Non-Overlapping Dual-Axis Column Chart in Excel

Rana Garcia Sep 30, 2026 870 views

Question details

The user needs to create a dual-axis combo chart with column series on both the primary and secondary axes, ensuring the columns sit side-by-side without overlapping each other.

How to Create a Non-Overlapping Dual-Axis Column Chart in Excel

Product: Microsoft Excel
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Creating advanced data visualizations where multiple metrics of different scales must be compared side-by-side using a combo chart.
Observed behavior: By default, dual-axis column charts overlap because the axes are drawn independently. The goal is to successfully use dummy series to reserve category-axis space and prevent this overlap.

Before you start

Before creating your chart, ensure your spreadsheet data is prepared by inserting blank 'dummy' columns next to your primary and secondary data series to act as visual spacers.

Solution 1Recommended

Use Dummy Data Series to Prevent Column Overlap

Insert blank dummy data series into your chart to reserve space on the category axis, forcing Excel to separate the primary and secondary axis columns visually.

In Excel, primary and secondary axes operate independently, which causes columns plotted on different axes to overlap. By adding empty series (dummy data) to both axes, you can trick Excel into allocating space for these invisible columns, pushing your actual data columns side-by-side.

Prepare your dataset with dummy series

In your worksheet, insert new columns next to your actual data. Name them 'Dummy A' and 'Dummy B'. Leave the data cells for these dummy series blank or enter zeroes.

Insert the Combo Chart

Highlight your entire data range, including the dummy columns. Go to the Insert tab on the Excel ribbon, click the Insert Combo Chart icon, and choose Create Custom Combo Chart.

Assign series to the secondary axis

In the Chart dialog box, check the 'Secondary Axis' box for your secondary data series (Series B) and its corresponding dummy series (Dummy B). Leave your primary data (Series A) and Dummy A on the primary axis.

Ensure consistent chart types

Make sure all series (both actual data and dummy series) are set to either 'Clustered Column' or 'Stacked Column' as required by your visualization needs, then click OK.

Delete dummy series from the legend

To clean up the chart, click on the chart legend. Click individually on the 'Dummy A' and 'Dummy B' legend entries and press the Delete key on your keyboard.

Adjust the Gap Width

Right-click on any of the visible columns and select Format Data Series. Use the Gap Width slider in the formatting pane to adjust the spacing and refine the appearance of your non-overlapping columns.

Use Dummy Data Series to Prevent Column Overlap

Pro Tip: If the columns still appear slightly misaligned, check the Series Overlap slider in the Format Data Series pane and ensure it is set to the same value (usually 0% or 100% depending on if you are using clustered or stacked types) for both the primary and secondary axes.

Advanced Data Visualization

Easily Create Complex Combo Charts in WPS Spreadsheet

WPS Office provides an incredibly intuitive charting wizard that makes building advanced data visualizations, such as non-overlapping dual-axis combo charts, efficient and straightforward. You can fully customize your axes, gap widths, and series layouts natively.

1. Prepare your chart data: Open your dataset in WPS Spreadsheet and add your required dummy series columns next to your primary data.
2. Launch the Chart Wizard: Highlight your entire data range, navigate to the Insert tab, and click on Chart.
3. Configure the Combo Chart: Select Combo in the chart types list. Assign your secondary series and dummy series to the Secondary Axis using the provided checkboxes.
4. Refine and format: Insert the chart, delete the dummy series from the legend, and use the right-side formatting pane to adjust your gap width perfectly.

100% compatible with Microsoft Excel (.xlsx) formats and advanced chart propertiesIntuitive and easy-to-navigate formatting pane for precise chart adjustmentsFree, lightweight, and powerful alternative for all your spreadsheet tasks

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do dual-axis column charts overlap by default in Excel?

Excel plots the primary and secondary axes independently on separate visual layers. Because they do not share the same spatial category axis logic by default, the secondary axis columns are drawn directly on top of the primary axis columns, causing them to overlap.

Can I use the dummy series method for horizontal bar charts as well?

Yes. The same logic applies to dual-axis horizontal bar charts. By inserting blank dummy series, you reserve vertical space on the category axis, preventing the bars from overlapping each other.

How do I make the columns thicker after adding the dummy series?

Right-click on one of the data columns in your chart and select Format Data Series. In the task pane, decrease the 'Gap Width' percentage. You may need to do this for both a primary axis series and a secondary axis series to ensure uniform thickness.

Is it possible to achieve non-overlapping dual-axis columns without dummy data?

While dummy data is the most reliable and widely used method in standard Excel versions, another workaround involves separating your primary and secondary data into entirely different rows within your dataset, essentially staggering the data points so they don't share the same exact category label row.

Excel & Data Problems