In the post, Is Your Line Chart Lying?, May 6, 2014, Mynda shows how to use indexed charts to compare disparate values without resorting to secondary axes. What if the raw values are negative, or turn negative, such as net income in the base year being negative and then turning positive, or the reverse? I am thinking that if the underlying percentage change makes no sense, then indexing won't work for such a series. Any thoughts?
Great question, Paul.
In the case of negative values you can't use the log scale or indexed results charts. The options are to use the secondary axis, or plot the revenue and profit in separate charts.
Here are some tips for improving the secondary axis:
https://www.myonlinetraininghub.com/excel-chart-secondary-axis-alternatives
Mynda
