How to quickly create a pivot table

Abstract

Creating apivot tableis easy.

Let’s take a look.

Before you create a pivot table, verify your source data is in good shape.

Rows and columns need to be consecutive.

If you have any blank rows or columns in the data, remove them first.

Next, see to it that each column has a unique label in the first row.

These labels will appear in the field list once the pivot table has been created.

Now select any cell inside the data.

Then poke the Pivot Table button on the Insert tab of theribbon.

Usually, Excel will guess the location of the data correctly.

You should see a moving dashed line in the background around the full set of data.

Next, select a location for the pivot table.

In most cases, you’ll want to choose New Worksheet.

Keeping the Pivot Table on its own worksheet allows it to expand in any direction without overwriting other content.

You’re now ready to start building the table.

To add a field to the pivot table, you’re able to just nudge the checkbox.

We’ll add one of each to check that things are working properly.

To set the number format of a value field, nudge the drop-down and choose Value Field parameters.

Then hit the Number Format button and define the format as you like.

Laying out a pivot table is an interactive process.

Experiment with various layouts to find what works best for your particular utility.

Click, Clear, then choose Clear All