Combine bars and lines to visualize two metrics simultaneously. Ideal for comparing volume vs. rate or actuals vs. targets.

Mixed Line & Bar Charts (often called Combo Charts) are the power-user's choice for correlating two different metrics that share a common category. By combining the solidity of bars with the trend-following nature of lines, you can tell a richer story-like visualizing Revenue (Bar) alongside Profit Margin % (Line) for each product line.

The Edilitics Visualization module simplifies this dual-axis complexity with a point-and-click interface, allowing you to overlay governed metrics without writing complex queried logic.

When to Use a Mixed Line & Bar Chart

Use Case	Why This Chart Works
Pareto Analysis	Display frequency (Bar) and cumulative percentage (Line) to identify significant factors.
Actual vs. Target	Compare actual sales (Bar) against target quotas (Line) for clear performance tracking.
Volume vs. Rate	Correlate absolute volume (e.g., Total Visits) with a rate (e.g., Conversion Rate).
Trend Overlays	Show monthly values (Bar) with a rolling average (Line) to smooth out seasonality.

Chart Configuration in Edilitics

Inputs Required

Data Type	Required Count	Description
Dimensions (Columns)	1	Categorical or Date field for the X-Axis.
Metrics (Rows)	2	1st Metric: Represented as a Bar. 2nd Metric: Represented as a Line.

How to Configure a Mixed Line & Bar Chart

Select "Mixed Line & Bar" from the Chart Library.
Define Axes:
- Drag your time or category dimension to Axis/Dimension.
- Drag your first metric (e.g., "Sales") to Bar.
- Drag your second metric (e.g., "Growth") to Line.
Dual Axis:
- Edilitics automatically assigns the second metric to a secondary Y-axis (on the right) if the scales differ significantly.
Formatting:
- Customize the line smoothness, marker styles, and bar colors in the format tab.

Feature Highlights

Dual Y-Axis Support

Perfect for comparing metrics with different units (e.g., Revenue in Millions vs Profit Margin in %).

Hovering over any point reveals values for both series simultaneously, making correlation analysis easy.
Automatically aligns zero-lines where possible.
Independent formatting for left and right axes (e.g., Currency on Left, Percentage on Right).
Clear axis labels to prevent confusion.

Hovering over a category shows values for both the bar and the line in a single, consolidated tooltip.
Makes cross-referencing metrics instant and intuitive.

Best Practices for Mixed Charts

Practice	Why It Matters
Don't Overload	Stick to 2 metrics (1 Bar, 1 Line) or at most 3 to avoid visual clutter.
Distinct Colors	Use high-contrast colors for the line vs. the bars to ensure they are visually distinct layers.
Match Timeframes	Ensure both metrics align perfectly on the time/category axis to imply correct correlation.
Label Axes Clearly	When using dual axes, explicit titles (e.g., "Revenue ($)" vs "Margin (%)") are critical.

How Edilitics Is Different

Unlike spreadsheet-based tools that require complex "secondary axis" settings, Edilitics simplifies mixed charts:

Automatic Scaling: Dual axes are aligned and scaled automatically, ensuring accurate visual comparison.
Governed Data Sources: Both metrics flow from the same validated dataset, guaranteeing consistency between "Revenue" and "Margin".
No Manual Adjustments: Range settings, alignment, and zero-line matching are handled by the engine.
Cross-Filtering: Click on any bar or point to filter the entire dashboard to that data segment.

This ensures your dual-metric insights are accurate and readable by default.

Mixed Line & Bar Charts are essential for explaining context. By combining volume and rate, or actuals and targets, you elevate your dashboard from simple reporting to true performance analysis.

Need help? Email support@edilitics.com with your workspace, job ID, and context. We reply within one business day.

Mixed Line & Bar Charts Guide