Why you need a second Y-axis and when to add one

A second Y-axis lets you plot two different measurements on the same chart when they use different scales. For example, you might chart monthly revenue (in dollars) against customer count (in people) — the numbers are so different that one would flatten against the bottom of the chart if you used a single axis. WPS Office lets you add a second Y-axis to any existing chart in a few clicks, and the process works the same way whether you are using WPS Spreadsheets on Windows, Mac, or the online version.

The second axis appears on the right side of the chart. One data series uses the left axis, the other uses the right axis, so both sets of numbers stay readable and proportional to each other. You decide which series goes to which axis after the axis is created.

Key Takeaways

  • Right-click the chart itself (not the spreadsheet), then choose Edit Chart to open the chart editor where you can add a second axis.
  • In the chart editor, click the data series you want to move to the second axis, then use the Format menu to assign it to the secondary Y-axis.
  • The second axis appears on the right side of the chart automatically once you assign a series to it.
  • You can format each axis independently — change the scale, add labels, or adjust colors so the two series are visually distinct.

Opening the chart editor in WPS Spreadsheets

Start by clicking the chart you want to edit. The chart will show a border around it with small squares at the corners and edges. Right-click anywhere inside the chart area and select Edit Chart from the menu that appears. The chart will open in edit mode, and you will see the spreadsheet behind it grayed out.

If you are working in WPS Spreadsheets online, the same right-click menu appears. If the Edit Chart option does not show up, make sure you clicked the chart itself and not the spreadsheet cells around it. Once you are in edit mode, the toolbar at the top changes to show chart-specific options.

Selecting the data series you want to move

Inside the chart editor, click directly on one of the data points or the line or bars that represent the series you want to assign to the second axis. For example, if your chart shows both revenue and customer count, click on the revenue bars or line. The entire series will highlight, and you will see small squares appear on each data point.

Make sure you have selected only the series you want to move — clicking once selects the whole series, and clicking again on the same series selects just one data point. If you select a single point by mistake, click elsewhere on the chart and try again. You need the entire series selected before you move to the next step.

Assigning the series to the secondary Y-axis

With the data series selected, look at the top menu bar and click Format. A dropdown menu will appear. Look for an option called Format Data Series or Data Series (the exact wording varies slightly depending on your WPS version). Click it to open the format panel.

In the format panel that appears on the right side of the screen, look for a tab or section labeled Axis or Series Axis. You will see options for Primary Axis and Secondary Axis. Click the radio button or checkbox next to Secondary Axis. The chart will update when ready — the series you selected will now use the right-side axis, and a new Y-axis will appear on the right edge of the chart with its own scale.

Adjusting the axes after they are created

Once both axes are in place, you can adjust each one independently. Right-click on the left axis (the numbers on the left side of the chart) to format that axis — you can change the minimum and maximum values, add a title, or adjust the number format. Right-click on the right axis to format the secondary axis the same way.

If the two series are hard to tell apart, consider changing the color of one of them. Click the series on the secondary axis, open the Format menu again, and look for a Fill or Color option. A different color makes it much clearer which line or bars belong to which axis, especially if you are sharing the chart with others.

Exiting the chart editor and saving your work

When you are finished editing, click outside the chart — anywhere on the spreadsheet background. The chart will exit edit mode, and you will see the completed chart with both axes. The changes are saved to your spreadsheet automatically in WPS Spreadsheets online; if you are using the desktop version, save the file as you normally would using Ctrl+S or the File menu.

If you need to edit the chart again later, just right-click it and select Edit Chart. All your axis settings, colors, and labels will still be there. You can add or remove the secondary axis at any time using the same steps.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I have more than two Y-axes on one chart?

WPS Spreadsheets supports one primary axis and one secondary axis only. If you need to plot three or more different measurements, you will need to create separate charts or combine some of the data into a single measurement (like a ratio or percentage).

What if the secondary axis does not appear after I select it?

Make sure you selected the entire data series, not just one data point. Click elsewhere on the chart to deselect, then click once on the bars or line of the series you want to move. If the axis still does not appear, close the format panel and try the Format menu again — sometimes the panel needs to refresh.

How do I change which series uses which axis?

Select the series currently on the secondary axis, open Format > Data Series, and click Primary Axis. Then select the other series and assign it to Secondary Axis. You can swap them back and forth as many times as you need.

Can I add titles to each axis so people know what they measure?

Yes. Right-click each axis and look for an option like Axis Title or Add Title. Type the label you want — for example, "Revenue ($)" for the left axis and "Customer Count" for the right axis. This makes the chart much clearer to read.