Generate a Custom Combination Chart with AI

Introduction

Creating a Custom Combination Chart can significantly enhance data visualization, whether you employ AI tools like Sourcetable or traditional spreadsheet programs such as Excel and Google Sheets. Sourcetable simplifies complex spreadsheet operations with its AI capabilities, transforming anyone into a spreadsheet power user effortlessly.

The built-in AI assistant in Sourcetable aids in crafting precise charts and graphs, including comprehensive custom combination charts. This feature is particularly useful for users seeking detailed and dynamic data presentations without extensive spreadsheet expertise.

To explore how AI can elevate your data visualization, sign up for Sourcetable and generate your first Custom Combination Chart. For a more traditional approach using Excel or Google Sheets, continue reading to learn more. Start your journey by clicking here to sign up.

What is a Custom Combination Chart?

A Custom Combination Chart integrates two different chart types within a single visualization. Most commonly, it combines two column charts, two line graphs, or a column chart and a line graph. This hybrid chart type is valuable for answering questions about data trends within the same categories.

Combo charts provide a holistic view of complex data sets by highlighting relationships and patterns effectively. By showcasing multiple perspectives simultaneously, they make it easier to correlate data sets and identify trends. The integration of different chart types within one visualization allows for a comprehensive data analysis from multiple angles.

These charts are particularly useful when you need to compare multiple measures with different value ranges or illustrate the correlation between two measures. They are also beneficial for checking if one measure meets the target defined by another measure and for conserving canvas space. When created thoughtfully, Custom Combination Charts can dynamically present complex data in an accessible, visually appealing manner.

When to Use a Custom Combination Chart

Ideal Use Cases

Use a Custom Combination Chart when you need to represent multiple data sets with different formats, such as combining bar and line charts. It is ideal for comparing different data trends within the same visualization, allowing for clearer insights.

Advantages

Custom Combination Charts offer versatility by accommodating diverse data types in one visual. They simplify complex data analysis by presenting multiple aspects of the data side by side, making it easier to detect patterns and correlations.

Challenges

These charts can become cluttered with too much information, making them harder to read. They require careful design to ensure clarity and avoid misinterpretation. Custom Combination Charts may also need specialized software, which may not be readily available.

Comparison with Other Charts

Compared to single-focus graphs like bar or line charts, Custom Combination Charts provide a more comprehensive view but can be more complex to interpret. Unlike Scatter Plots, they highlight specific data relationships while potentially being less precise in pinpointing individual data points.

How to Generate a Custom Combination Chart in Excel or Google Sheets

Creating a Combination Chart in Excel

To create a custom combination chart in Excel, begin by selecting the cells you want to chart. Click the INSERT tab on the ribbon, then click the Combo button. Choose the preferred option for your chart type.

To add more customization, you can change the chart type of one or more data series within the chart. For additional clarity, you may want to include a secondary vertical (value) axis. Double-click on the line in the chart to open the task pane, then select Secondary Axis. To add axis titles, click the CHART ELEMENTS button, click the arrow beside Axis Titles, and select both Primary Vertical and Secondary Vertical. Click the title boxes to type in the appropriate text.

Creating a Combination Chart in Google Sheets

Start by setting up your data in two columns in Google Sheets; the left column for the primary data series and the right column for the secondary series. Select the data you want to chart, then click Insert > Chart. In the Chart Editor, choose Combo Chart.

In the Setup tab of the Chart Editor, customize the combo chart as needed. The Customize tab allows adjustments to the appearance of the chart. This feature helps in effectively displaying data sets measured differently, such as projected vs. actual sales, temperatures and precipitation, or revenue and profit margins.

Benefits of Combination Charts

Combination charts are useful for showing relationships between diverse data sets. They allow for the use of different marker types such as columns, lines, and area lines, providing a clear visualization of how different data sets interact.

This visualization tool is essential for analyzing and presenting complex data, making it a powerful feature in both Excel and Google Sheets.

Conclusion

In this tutorial, we explored the definition and creation of Custom Combination Charts. We discussed how to utilize the AI capabilities of Sourcetable to easily generate these charts, as well as the methods for creating them in traditional spreadsheet programs like Excel and Google Sheets.

Sourcetable enhances this process with its user-friendly AI spreadsheet assistant, enabling you to swiftly create detailed charts and graphs. This tool is especially potent for users aiming to elevate their data visualization with minimal hassle.

To experience the ease and efficiency of generating Custom Combination Charts with AI, sign up at Sourcetable and create your first chart today.