How do I unlock the Secondary Axis option?

**eastydie** · 06-23-2010, 04:35 AM

Hello everyone!

I have a problem adding a secondary axis to an excel file.

What I did --

I right clicked on the line segments then chose Format Data Series, then on the AXIS tab, the Plot Series On section is in grey area. It has two options - Primary Axis and Secondary Axis. It is currently bulleted on Primary Axis. And I cannot click the Secondary Axis bullet since it is locked.

The original Excel file that I am currenly manipulating is from a 2007 version and I am using Excel 2003. I guess this would matter?

Thanks in advance!

**teylyn** · 06-23-2010, 05:05 AM

eastydie, you can only put a whole series on the secondary axis, not a segment of a series. Post a workbook with some sample data to illustrate your issue.

cheers

**eastydie** · 06-23-2010, 05:35 AM

Here's my sample file.

I need the second metric to reflect on the secondary axis.

**David_S_Walker** · 06-23-2010, 05:50 AM

Originally Posted by eastydie

Here's my sample file.

I need the second metric to reflect on the secondary axis.

Hello,

Simply extend your data range to include the entire data table. Then right click on the plotted line produced as a result and Format Data series, Axis tab and select the secondary axis. If you can't see the plotted line then reducing the scale of the primary axis to a low value will make it "plot".

Seemed to work for me so hope it does for you.

Best regards,

David

**teylyn** · 06-23-2010, 05:45 AM

select D4:D13 and copy
click the chart and go Edit - Paste special
check "Add cells as " and tick "new series", "Values in" should be "rows", all other boxes unticked, and OK
Now you see a series pretty much aligned with the X axis.
double click the new data series to open the format dialog and on the Axis tab click secondary axis.

Format the secondary axis to a scale of your choice.

see attached.

cheers

**eastydie** · 06-23-2010, 05:57 AM

Originally Posted by teylyn

select D4:D13 and copy
click the chart and go Edit - Paste special
check "Add cells as " and tick "new series", "Values in" should be "rows", all other boxes unticked, and OK
Now you see a series pretty much aligned with the X axis.
double click the new data series to open the format dialog and on the Axis tab click secondary axis.

Format the secondary axis to a scale of your choice.

see attached.

cheers

Waw. Thank you so much!!!