HOW TO: Change the Chart Type of a Series in a Combination Chart in Excel 2000

In Microsoft Excel 2000, if you create a combination chart of the Column-Area, Line-Column, or Line-Column on 2-Axes chart types, you may want to change the number of series that are plotted on each chart type. The Chart Wizard automatically takes half of the series (or one more than half, if there is an odd number of series) and makes them one chart type on the primary axis. The Chart Wizard then defines the rest of the series as the other chart type on the secondary axis. If you want to change a particular series to the other chart type, or if you want to change the number of series in a particular chart type, you must edit the chart after you create it.

Because columns should appear side by side, and areas typically appear stacked, all series that belong together must be on the same axis to appear as expected.

For example, Excel places a column series that is plotted on the secondary axis in front of a column series that is plotted against the primary axis. In many cases, the overlay series obscures or overlaps the primary series.

If you want to change a series from one chart type to the other in a combination chart, you must change both the chart type and the axis that are used.

Moving a Series

The following procedure describes the general steps to move a series from a column to an area, an area to a column, or a line to a column in a combination chart.

1. Select the chart series that you intend to move.
2. On the Format menu, click Selected Data Series, and then change the axis to that of the group to which you are moving the series. Click OK.
3. With the series still selected, click Chart Type on the Chart menu, click the standard chart type that you want the series to become, and then click OK.

NOTE: You cannot combine 2-D and 3-D chart types. If you select a 3-D type, the entire chart is converted rather than the individually selected series.

Not all chart types should be combined. If you select a chart type that does not logically compare data in combination with existing chart types, you may receive the following error message: NOTE: It may be possible at times to manually create illogical combinations of chart types (such as bars and columns, or pie and columns) without receiving this error message.

How to Change a Series

To change a series from a column series to an area series in a column-area chart, follow these steps:

1. Create a new workbook, and then type the following sample data:

      A1:  1    B1:  6    C1:  11    D1:  16
      A2:  2    B2:  7    C2:  12    D2:  17
      A3:  3    B3:  8    C3:  13    D3:  18
      A4:  4    B4:  9    C4:  14    D4:  19
      A5:  5    B5: 10    C5:  15    D5:  20
   					

2. Select the range A1:D5. On the Insert menu, click Chart. Click the Custom Types tab, click Column-Area under Chart type, and then click Finish.
   
   This results in a chart with columns, which consist of the data in the last two series and lie in front of the stacked area chart that is made by stacking the first two series. By default, areas of a Column-Area chart are displayed on the primary axis, and columns are displayed on the secondary axis.
3. In the chart, select the left-most column (series 3).
4. On the Format menu, click Selected Data Series. Click the Axis tab, click Primary Axis to change the axis of the series from the secondary axis to the primary, and then click OK.
   
   The selected column series is displayed on the same axis as the area chart series and in front of the other column series, rather than beside it.
5. With the series still selected, click Chart Type on the Chart menu, click Area in the Chart type list, and then click OK.
   
   The previous column series becomes part of the stacked area series.

For more information about how to change the axis of a data series, click Microsoft Excel Help on the Help menu, type change the way data is plotted in the Office Assistant or the Answer Wizard, and then click Search to view the topic.

For more information about how to change the chart type of a data series, click Microsoft Excel Help on the Help menu, type select a different chart type in the Office Assistant or the Answer Wizard, and then click Search to view the topic.