How to create a Vertical biaxial bar chart

A Vertical biaxial bar chart displays two different bar series on the same X-axis. It’s designed to help compare two different measured quantities over time—each with its own independent Y-axis.

When to use a Vertical biaxial bar chart

This format is ideal when you need to:

  • Visualise two related metrics with different units or scales (e.g. number of participants vs average hours of engagement), using bars for both.

  • Compare absolute values side by side while maintaining separate Y-axes for clarity.

  • Provide a clear, direct comparison of how two distinct measures behave across the same categories or time intervals.

How to build a Vertical biaxial bar chart

Step 1: Select the Chart Type

  • In the Explore Data tool, go to the Build Your Chart step.

  • Under the Type tab, select Vertical biaxial bar.

Note: The Vertical biaxial bar chart option will be unavailable if any of the following conditions are present:

  • "Measured quantity" is missing from the chart Legend
  • "Measured quantity" contains fewer than 2 Categories
  • There are multiple Variables in the chart Legend
  • There are multiple chart tables present
  • Chart tables include calc tables

Step 2: Create Vertical biaxial bar charts

  • Navigate to the Chart tab.
  • Ensure only one chart table is toggled on (not a calculation table).
  • The Legend should contain only the Measured quantity variable.
  • Select which measured quantities to show for each Bar.
    • By default, the first two are selected.
    • You can manually update them and click Apply.

Step 3: Configure Y-Axis

Vertical biaxial bar charts use two Y-axes:

  • Left Y-axis for the left Bar.

  • Right Y-axis for the right Bar.

To customise them:

  • Go to the Custom tab.
  • Set the Y-axis titles:
    • Vertical Axis Title → for left Bar chart.
    • Secondary Vertical Axis Title → for right Bar chart.

  • Set the value type for each axis individually:
    • Choose between Percentage or Decimal for each Y-axis.

Here is an example of a Vertical biaxial bar chart:

When you hover over the chart, a tooltip will appear showing both bar values for that X-axis category.