How to add a secondary axis in Power BI [EASY STEPS]

Microsoft for Business » Power BI

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by Milan Stanojevic 

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power bi add secondary axis

Creating charts in Power BI Desktop is one of the main features of this tool, but quite a few users are encountering issues in creating the Y-axis (secondary axis).

One user reported the following on the official Power BI forum:

Currently using Power BI Desktop (just downloaded last week). I’m trying to create chart with secondary axis (Y-axis). However, in the tool, when I select from Visualization pane, ‘Y-Axis’ then ‘Show secondary’, nothing happens. In the video, I see that underneath that option when it is selected, there are other options to select like position it on ‘right’ side.

So, when trying to create a chart with a secondary axis (the vertical axis of the chart) through the usual method, nothing happens. Fortunately, the issue has a very easy solution.

Steps to add a secondary axis in Power BI

Add a metric to the line values

To solve the issue quickly, you simply add a metric to the line values.

power bi line values metric

  1. Click on Favorite Count.
  2. Select the metric you prefer for your axis.

Conclusion

So, that’s about it. Adding a metric to Y-axis will allow you to create a chart with a secondary axis.

Leave your answer along with any other questions in the comments section below.

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Milan Stanojevic

Milan Stanojevic Shield

Windows Toubleshooting Expert

Milan has been enthusiastic about technology ever since his childhood days, and this led him to take interest in all PC-related technologies. He's a PC enthusiast and he spends most of his time learning about computers and technology. Before joining WindowsReport, he worked as a front-end web developer. Now, he's one of the Troubleshooting experts in our worldwide team, specializing in Windows errors & software issues.