How to Make a 3 Axis Graph in Excel

Trying to layer three different sets of data - like sales revenue, units sold, and customer ratings - onto a single Excel chart can feel like a puzzle. When each dataset has a wildly different scale, a standard graph won't work. This guide will walk you through a powerful workaround to create a visually effective 3-axis graph in Excel, making it easy to compare multiple metrics at once.

Why Use a 3 Axis Graph? (And When to Reconsider)

The main reason to create a graph with three axes is to show the relationship between three different variables that are measured in completely different units. Imagine you’re analyzing monthly business performance. You want to see:

• Total Revenue (in thousands of dollars)
• Number of Products Sold (a raw count)
• Customer Satisfaction Score (a percentage from 0-100%)

If you plotted all three on a single Y-axis, the enormous revenue figures would make the other two data series look like flat lines at the bottom of the chart. A 3-axis chart solves this by giving each data series its own scale, allowing you to visualize trends and correlations that would otherwise be invisible.

However, a word of caution: these charts can get cluttered and confusing if not designed carefully. If your audience can't quickly understand the information, the chart has failed. Sometimes, two or three separate, clear charts are more effective than one complex one. The key is clarity - if adding a third axis makes the story clearer, go for it. If it creates a visual mess, it’s best to use a simpler approach.

Understanding Excel's "2+1" Axis System

Before we build, it’s important to know that Excel doesn't have a built-in "three-axis chart" option. What it does have is a primary axis (on the left) and a secondary axis (on the right). Our strategy is to use these two built-in axes and then cleverly add a third data series in a way that creates the illusion of a third axis. This workaround is surprisingly effective and gives you the exact result you're looking for.

Setting Up Your Data for a 3-Axis Chart

A well-organized data table is the foundation of a great chart. Let's use a business performance example. We have monthly data for Revenue, Units Sold, and Customer Satisfaction (CSAT). The numbers vary greatly in scale, making this a perfect candidate for a 3-axis graph.

Arrange your data in columns, with the shared category (in this case, the Month) in the first column.

Example Data Table:

Step 1: Create a Combo Chart with a Primary and Secondary Axis

First, we’ll build a combination chart that uses two of our three data series. We'll plot Revenue and Units Sold on the primary axis for now and move our CSAT score to the secondary axis.

1. Select all your data, including headers. In our example, highlight the entire range from "Month" through the last CSAT percentage.
2. Go to the Insert tab. In the Charts section, click on Recommended Charts.
3. A window will pop up. Click on the All Charts tab at the top.
4. Select Combo from the list on the left. This is Excel's section for mixing chart types.
5. Configure your chart:
6. Click OK.

You now have a two-axis chart. Revenue and Units Sold share the primary Y-axis on the left, and CSAT is plotted against the secondary Y-axis on the right. We’re halfway there!

Step 2: Faking the Third Axis with a Scatter Plot Illusion

This is where the magic happens. We need to detach the Units Sold data from the primary axis and give it its own "fake" axis. The best way is to change its chart type to an XY Scatter plot and manually build a new visual axis for it. It sounds complex, but just follow these steps precisely.

Part A: Convert "Units Sold" to a Scatter Plot

1. Right-click anywhere on the chart area and choose Select Data.
2. In the "Select Data Source" window, select "Units Sold" series and click Remove. Click OK.
3. Right-click the chart again and choose Select Data.
4. Click Add under "Legend Entries (Series)". The "Edit Series" window appears.
5. Configure:
6. Click OK twice.

You will see a series of dots representing Units Sold. They probably use the left axis, that's okay. Now, change their chart type:

1. Right-click the "Units Sold" series (the dots) and choose Change Series Chart Type.
2. Find "Units Sold" and set its Chart Type to Scatter (markers only).
3. Check the box for Secondary Axis. Click OK.

Now, both the CSAT line and Units Sold scatter plot are using the secondary axis. This is the key in our workaround.

Part B: Building the Visual Third Axis

Excel doesn't automatically create an extra axis, so we draw one ourselves, aligning it with the scale of Units Sold:

1. Select the secondary Y-axis (click on the scale numbers), press Ctrl+C to copy, then Ctrl+V to paste. This duplicates the axis, overlaying it on the original.
2. Format this copied axis:
3. Drag this new axis to position it where you want your visual third axis—either on the left or right.
4. You can repeat this process, overlaying axes and repositioning them, to create the illusion of a third axis on either side, or between.

Step 3: Cleaning Up and Formatting Your Chart

This advanced chart needs careful formatting:

• Add a descriptive Title and Legend. For example, "Monthly Performance: Revenue, Units, and Satisfaction".
• Use consistent coloring: match data series colors to their axis labels for clarity.
• Adjust tick marks:
• Clearly label all axes, including units (e.g., $ thousands, Units, %).

Final Thoughts

While Excel doesn’t have a one-click third axis feature, creating these charts is achievable with the right combination of chart types and formatting. With practice, it becomes a powerful technique to visualize disparate datasets simultaneously.

Learning workarounds like this enhances your Excel mastery and helps you analyze complex data more effectively.

And if manual effort seems too cumbersome, check out Graphed—it automates much of this process, connecting databases and SaaS platforms, then generating dashboards via simple prompts. It’s designed to cut down on busywork and give you instant insights with natural language commands. When quick, insightful charts are needed—Graphed makes it effortless.