In this guide, we will focus on another dual axis line chart: Line Chart Dual Axis with Bar. By analyzing a real-life dataset: Rossmann Store Sales, we will focus on how to build it step by step. Meanwhile, we will draw some conclusions from Tableau visualization.
In this example, we show the monthly sales trend by using lines and a dual axis with bars to compare promotions and non-promotions in details. This chart is inspired by this video from Andy Kriebel.
We build a discrete line chart first.
Use dual axis with bar to show the promotion data.
Optimize the bars.
Put on the finishing touches:
Analysis:
In this chart, we can not only analyze the trend of the median sales by using lines but also focus on the comparison of promotions and non-promotions. With a quick scan, we can clearly see the monthly trends for promotion and non-promotion are consistent. The sales of promotion increased by about $2000 each month. From the trend line, we can see that the highest sales are at the end of the year, especially in December, probably because of the Christmas holidays.
In this part, we have learned how to create a dual axis line chart with bar. First, we built a raw discrete line chart. Then, we used a dual axis with bars. Next, we optimized the non-stacked bars with size and color. In the end, we dug out useful information from this chart.
You can download this example workbook Line Chart and Variations from Tableau Public.
In conclusion, I have drawn a mind map to help you organize and review the knowledge in this guide.
I hope you enjoyed it. If you have any questions, you're welcome to contact me at [email protected].
If you want to dive deeper into this topic or learn more comprehensively, there are many professional Tableau Training Classes on Pluralsight, such as Tableau Desktop Playbook: Building Common Chart Types.
I made a complete list of my common Tableau charts serial guides, in case you are interested:
Categories | Guides and Links |
---|---|
Bar Chart | Bar Chart, Stacked Bar Chart, Side-by-side Bar Chart, Histogram, Diverging Bar Chart |
Text Table | Text Table, Highlight Table, Heat Map, Dot Plot |
Line Chart | Line Chart, Dual Axis Line Chart, Area Chart, Sparklines, Step Lines and Jump Lines |
Standard Chart | Pie Chart |
Derived Chart | Funnel Chart, Waffle Chart |
Composite Chart | Lollipop Chart, Dumbbell Chart, Pareto Chart, Donut Chart |