Create and use a combo chart—ArcGIS Insights

A combo chart is a combination of two column charts, two line graphs, or a column chart and a line graph. You can make a combo chart with a single dataset or with two datasets that share a common string field.

Combo charts can answer questions about data, such as: What are the trends for the same categories?

Example

An environmental organization is tracking the drought conditions in Southern California and wants to compare temperatures and precipitation to determine which cities are most vulnerable. The organization uses a combo chart to show both the total precipitation and the average temperature for each city in one chart.

Combo chart showing temperature and precipitation for Southern California cities

Create a combo chart

Combo charts can be created with a single dataset, or with two datasets that share a common string field.

A single dataset

To create a combo chart with a single dataset, complete the following steps:

Select a string field and two number or rate/ratio fields .
Note:
You can search for fields using the search bar in the data pane.
Create the chart using the following steps:
1. Drag the selected fields to a new card.
2. Hover over the Chart drop zone.
3. Drop the selected fields on Line Graph.

Tip:

You can also create charts using the Chart menu above the data pane or the Visualization type button on an existing card. For the Chart menu, only charts that are compatible with the data selection will be enabled. For the Visualization type menu, only compatible visualizations (including maps, charts, or tables) will be displayed.

Two datasets with a common string field

To create a combo chart on top of an existing column chart or line graph, complete the following steps:

Select one of the following combinations of data:
- A number or rate/ratio field from the same dataset as the existing chart.
- A string field that corresponds to the existing chart's string field plus a number or rate/ratio field from a different dataset than the one used in the existing chart.
Note:
You can search for fields using the search bar in the data pane.
Drag the selected fields to the existing column chart or line graph.
Drop the fields on the Combo Chart drop zone.
Note:
The field must be dropped on the body of the chart. Dropping the field on the y-axis of the chart will update the numeric field for the existing chart, rather than create a combo chart.
Optionally, change the type of chart using the Line Graph button or Column Chart button on the vertical axes.

Usage notes

This visualization creates a result dataset Results in the data pane, which includes the fields used to create the chart. The result dataset can be used to create additional visualizations, rename the fields on the chart axes or in the pop-ups, or apply filters to the chart.

The value of each bar and the trend of the line can be symbolized as a count of features in each category on the x-axis, or as a number or rate/ratio field. If a field is used, the values can be calculated as a sum, minimum, maximum, average, percentile, or median of values from the field for each category.

Note:

Median and percentile are not available for certain remote feature layers. If the remote feature layer does not support median or percentile, you can copy the layer to your workbook.

The Column chart button and Line graph button on the y-axes can be used to switch the visualizations between column charts and line graphs. If both axes are set to column chart, the columns will be subgrouped within each category.

Use the Layer options button to open the Layer options pane and do the following to update the configuration options:

Use the Legend tab to view the symbols on the chart. The pop-out legend button displays the legend as a separate card on the page. You can use the legend to make selections on the chart (available for unique symbols).
To change the color associated with a value, click the symbol and choose a color from the palette or provide a hexadecimal value. Changing the symbol on the Legend tab is only available for unique symbols.
Use the Symbology tab to change the Symbol type to Unique symbol for the columns, smooth the line for the line graph, synchronize the y-axes, and turn labels on or off. A smooth line is best in situations when you are displaying trends in your data without sudden changes, rather than when you want to see specific values. For example, showing trends in monthly temperature using a smooth line is an effective way to analyze seasonality.
The Synchronize y-axes check box can be used to change both axes to the same scale. Using the same scale for both y-axes is useful in cases in which your variables are already using a similar scale, or you want to analyze the magnitude of difference between variables.
Labels display the number values associated with the chart. The following configurations are available for labels:
- Decimal places—You can choose a number of decimal places from zero to five, or choose Default or Auto for the labels. The Default option abbreviates large numbers, and the Auto option assigns an appropriate precision.
- Label alignment—Three alignment options are available for combo charts: Horizontal, outside, Vertical, outside, and Angled.
- Context label—Characters, such as a symbol or unit, can be added to the label. The context label can be placed on either side of the value.
Use the Appearance tab to change the symbol color for both the column chart (single symbol only) and the line graph, change the outline color of the column chart, change the pattern and thickness of the line graph, and change the representation of the bar chart.
The chart representation can be changed between the Bars and Lollipops options. Bars are preferred for representing values precisely. Lollipops may be preferred for charts with a large number of values or when all values are near the maximum.

Use the Card filter button to remove any unwanted data from the card. Filters can be applied to all string, number, rate/ratio, and date/time fields. A card filter does not affect other cards using the same dataset.

Use the Selection tools button to select features on the chart using the single select tool, or invert the selection.

Use the Visualization type button to switch directly between a combo chart and other visualizations, such as a summary table, treemap, or point chart.

Use the Maximize button to enlarge the card. Other cards on the page will be reduced to thumbnails. The card can be returned to its previous size using the Restore down button .

Use the Enable cross filters button to allow filters to be created on the card using selections on other cards. Cross filters can be removed using the Disable cross filters button .

Use the Flip card button to view the back of the card. The Card info tab provides information about the data on the card, the Export image tab allows users to export an image of the card, and the Export data tab allows users to export the data from the card.

Note:

Export data is not available for combo charts created with two datasets.

Use the Card options button to access the following options:

Appearance button —Change the background color, foreground color, and border of the card.
Edit labels button —Create custom labels for the chart axes. To edit the labels, click the Edit labels button and click the axis to make it editable.
Order button —Move the card forward or move the card backward relative to other cards on the page.
Delete button —Remove the card from the page. If you did not intend to delete the card, you can retrieve it using the Undo button .