# How to Create a Combination Chart

### How to create a Combination Chart in the Advanced Chart Builder

{% stepper %}
{% step %}

#### Start with the right data

Ensure your dataset includes:

* **One categorical variable** (often time-based, like semester or grade level)
* **Two or more numeric values** with different scales or metrics (e.g., average score + enrollment count)
  {% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### Open the Advanced Chart Builder

Open the [Advanced Chart Builder](/top-resources/advanced-charts-and-visualizations-builder/getting-started-with-the-advanced-chart-builder.md) from a thread or Pin to launch the builder.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### Open the Chart tab

* Select the Combination Chart.
* Review the live preview of your chart. 
  {% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### Go to the Setup tab

* Set the **Category** field to define your horizontal axis (e.g., Term)
* Add both **Series** fields that you want to visualize (e.g., Enrollment Count, Graduation Rate)
* For each series, choose:
  * **Aggregation method** (e.g., Sum, Average)
  * **Visualization type**: Column, Line, Area, Grouped Column, or Stacked Column
  * **Y-axis assignment**: Use the secondary Y-axis for a series with a different scale (e.g., count vs. percentage)
    {% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### Apply Data Filters

[Filter your data](/top-resources/advanced-charts-and-visualizations-builder/create-a-chart-with-the-advanced-chart-builder.md#how-to-apply-filters) to reduce clutter, increase readability, and focus the chart on the story. 
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### Customize the Chart (Optional)

[Use the Customize tab](/top-resources/advanced-charts-and-visualizations-builder/customize-your-chart.md) to adjust the look of your chart:

* Add axis titles and chart labels
* Adjust colors, axis lines, labels, and tooltips
  {% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### Save the Chart

Click Save when you’re ready to [apply your changes](/top-resources/advanced-charts-and-visualizations-builder/saving-or-canceling-your-chart-edits.md), or Cancel to discard the changes. 
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

### Combination Chart Use Cases

Need some inspiration? Consider these examples where a Combination Chart may work well. 

* Show average GPA (line) alongside student enrollment (bar) over academic years.
* Compare number of tutoring sessions (bar) to test score growth (line) across terms.
* Visualize budget allocation (bar) with actual spending (line) by department.
* Track attendance rate (line) vs. disciplinary incidents (bar) by month.
* Monitor technology use (bar) with student satisfaction (line) across courses or grade levels.

### Combination Chart Tips and Best Practices

* Use when metrics are related but not necessarily on the same scale. Apply a secondary axis where needed.
* Limit to just 2 or 3 data series to avoid clutter and confusion.
* Choose contrasting chart types (e.g., line + bar) to visually distinguish the series.
* Label each axis clearly and add a legend so viewers can quickly interpret what each element represents.
* Ideal for storytelling where context between two data points strengthens the insight (e.g., investment vs. outcome).


---

# Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation

If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:

```
GET https://support.doowii.io/top-resources/advanced-charts-and-visualizations-builder/chart-types-reference/how-to-create-a-combination-chart.md?ask=<question>
```

The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.