A Combination chart is an extension of a Dual axes chart, where instead of having the measures shown using a single mark, we can have different marks. So, for example, in the preceding Dual axes chart, we have both Sales and Profit shown as Lines. We may want to show Sales as a bar and Profit as a line. If we do that, then the chart that will be created will be called as a Combination chart. In simple words, a Combination chart is nothing but a Dual axes chart with multiple marks.
Let us see how to create a Combination chart.
For creating a Combination chart, we will first duplicate the Dual axes chart and then convert it into a Combination chart. The steps are as follows.
- Firstly, we will duplicate the Dual axes chart sheet and rename it to Combination chart.
- Once we do that, we will look at the Marks card. Refer to the following image:
- In the Marks card section, notice that there are three sub-sections called All, SUM(Sales) and SUM(Profit). If we click on any one of these sections, then that section will expand and we'll see that the Mark type is a Line. However, since we want Sales as a Bar, click on the SUM(Sales) in the Marks card and change the Mark type from Line to Bar by clicking on the dropdown of Marks. Refer to the following image:
In Tableau, each Mark is associated with an Axis. In the Dual axes chart, since we have two separate axes, we can change the Mark Type for each axis. However, for the Blended axes chart, since there is a common axis that is being shared across multiple measures, when we change the Mark Type, it will be applied to every measure.
When creating the preceding Combination chart, if the line gets hidden behind the bars, then we can right-click on the axis which represents the line and select the option of Move Marks to front. Refer to the following image:
