What exactly is a pivot table:
A pivot table is this amazing tool in excel that helps you sort your data in lots of different ways.
It is a summary of your data, packaged in a chart that lets you report on and explore trends based on your information. Pivot tables are useful if you have many rows or columns that hold values you want to compare and find trends.
Pivot tables allow you to group your data together in different ways so that you can draw conclusions more easily.
Once you start using a pivot table to summarise data you will be kicking yourself you didn’t start earlier.
Don’t worry if this all sounds a little confusing, once you have created a couple of pivot tables you will be using them all the time.
Here are the steps to create a pivot table in excel:
Highlight all the data you want to include in the table. Make sure each column has a heading. Check there are no merged or hidden cells as this will cause the pivot table not to work.
Click open the insert tab up the top and click on the pivot table button
When the pop up appears click existing worksheet and click on a blank space on your worksheet.
You can choose to have the pivot table on its own worksheet if you prefer.
It’s now time to work out what information you would like to summarise. All you need to do is drag and drop the fields into the areas that you want to see them in.
In my example, I wanted to know how much revenue was made from each type of item sold.
You can use the filter field if you want to look at certain dates, colours, items or any other field you have in your data.
Its good to play around any move fields in and out of areas to see how you like the summary to look.
Now you can copy and paste the table to your reports, presentations, assignments and anywhere else you need it.
To see the data that makes up the total, just double click on the cell you want to know more about. A new tab will open will a list of all data making up the total.
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Like most things in excel, the more times you use the function, the easier it becomes to remember. Until then, save this page in your browser favourites and refer back to it for the first few tables you create. After that, you will be a pro and showing everyone you know how to create one.