Experience the Benefits of Tableau Dual Axis Charts

In Tableau, you can use the “Dual Axis” option to create charts that have two separate axes, allowing you to compare the values of different measures or dimensions more easily. It can be useful when you want to compare multiple measures or dimensions that have different scales, as it allows you to see the relative differences between the measures or dimensions more clearly.

Similar to your typical dual axis chart in Excel, Tableau dual axis charts exhibit interactions between one variable and two or more variables in the same graphic, whether it be a bar chart, pie chart, line graph, or another type. Your corporate decision-makers will have greater flexibility with this level of visualisation since they can plot many data points and series on the same chart, saving time and space when referencing back and forth.

To create charts with a dual axis in Tableau, follow these steps:

1. Connect to a data source and drag the fields that you want to use to create the charts to the Columns and Rows shelves.
2. From the Show Me menu, select the chart type that you want to use for the first chart. This will create a basic chart based on the fields that you selected.
3. To add a second chart with a dual axis, right-click on the measure or dimension that you want to use for the second chart and select “Dual Axis”. This will create a second axis for the chart.
4. Customize the appearance of the charts as needed. You can change the colors, labels, and other formatting options for the charts using the formatting options in the top menu.

Using a dual axis can be a useful way to compare the values of different measures or dimensions in Tableau. It allows you to see the relative differences between the measures or dimensions more clearly, and can help you communicate insights more effectively. Just be mindful that dual axis charts can be harder to read and interpret than single axis charts, so use them with care.

A chart with two sets of data superimposed on top of one another with a shared axis is referred to as a dual-axis chart. On each side of your chart, for instance, you might have a distinct Y-axis for each of the two measures of sales and profit, together with an X-axis for date (months) values.

This enables you to assess profit and sales data over time. You can format your chart in dual-axis so that there is a separate marks card for each axis. In our example, we’re using a bar chart to show sales numbers and a line chart to show profit.