How to create a combination chart in PowerPoint

PowerPoint 365
Is it really necessary to create a chart in Excel and then import it to your PowerPoint presentation? Here you will see how to create a complex chart in PowerPoint that later will be used for adding additional effects.
Combination chart in PowerPoint 365

Note: This chart is needed for the illustration of the chalk effect in PowerPoint (see How to draw a chart with chalk effect in PowerPoint):

Chart with chalk effect in PowerPoint 365
Chart with chalk effect 2 in PowerPoint 365

To create a combination chart in PowerPoint, do the following:

   1.   On the Insert tab, in the Illustrations group, click the Chart button:

The Chart button in PowerPoint 365

   2.   In the Insert Chart dialog box, select the chart type you prefer.

For example, on the Column tab, select the Clustered Column chart:

A Clustered Column chart in Insert Chart PowerPoint 365

   3.   In the Chart in Microsoft PowerPoint dialog box, type or insert chart data.

For this example:

Chart data in PowerPoint 365

PowerPoint creates a chart for the data:

A Simple chart in PowerPoint 365

   4.   To show the second data series as a line, do the following:

   4.1.   Right-click in the chart plot area and choose Change Chart Type... in the popup menu:

Change Chart Type in popup menu PowerPoint 365

   4.2.   In the Insert Chart dialog box, select the Combo tab and then:

  • Choose a Custom Combination chart,
  • For the second data series, choose Line in the Chart type column and check the Secondary Axis checkbox:
Custom Combination chart in Insert Chart PowerPoint 365

   5.   Remove the legend and modify axes as you like.

   6.   To add an arrow for the line data series, select it and do the following:

A simple chart in PowerPoint 365

   6.1.   Right-click on the selected data series and choose Format Data Series... in the popup menu:

Format data series in popup menu PowerPoint 365

   6.2.   On the Format Data Series pane, on the Fill & Line tab, in the Line section:

  • Choose the arrow type you prefer in the End Arrow type dropdown list.

    For example, Stealth Arrow:

    Stealth Arrow in PowerPoint 365
  • Choose the arrow size you prefer in the End Arrow size dropdown list.

    For example, Arrow R Size 9:

    Arrow R Size 9 in PowerPoint 365

Add any other adjustments you like.

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