Create a PivotTable to analyze worksheet data
A PivotTable is a powerful tool to calculate, summarize, and analyze data that lets you see comparisons, patterns, and trends in your data.
PivotTables work a little bit differently depending on what platform you are using to run Excel.
Create a PivotTable
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Select the cells you want to create a PivotTable from.
Note: Your data shouldn't have any empty rows or columns. It must have only a single-row heading.
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Select Insert > PivotTable.
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Under Choose the data that you want to analyze, select Select a table or range.
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In Table/Range, verify the cell range.
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Under Choose where you want the PivotTable report to be placed, select New worksheet to place the PivotTable in a new worksheet or Existing worksheet and then select the location you want the PivotTable to appear.
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Select OK.
Building out your PivotTable
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To add a field to your PivotTable, select the field name checkbox in the PivotTables Fields pane.
Note: Selected fields are added to their default areas: non-numeric fields are added to Rows, date and time hierarchies are added to Columns, and numeric fields are added to Values.
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To move a field from one area to another, drag the field to the target area.
Before you get started:
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Your data should be organized in a tabular format, and not have any blank rows or columns. Ideally, you can use an Excel table like in our example above.
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Tables are a great PivotTable data source, because rows added to a table are automatically included in the PivotTable when you refresh the data, and any new columns will be included in the PivotTable Fields List. Otherwise, you need to either Change the source data for a PivotTable, or use a dynamic named range formula.
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Data types in columns should be the same. For example, you shouldn't mix dates and text in the same column.
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PivotTables work on a snapshot of your data, called the cache, so your actual data doesn't get altered in any way.
Create a PivotTable
If you have limited experience with PivotTables, or are not sure how to get started, a Recommended PivotTable is a good choice. When you use this feature, Excel determines a meaningful layout by matching the data with the most suitable areas in the PivotTable. This helps give you a starting point for additional experimentation. After a recommended PivotTable is created, you can explore different orientations and rearrange fields to achieve your specific results.
You can also download our interactive Make your first PivotTable tutorial.
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Recommended PivotTable |
Manually create a PivotTable |
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Working with the PivotTable Fields list
In the Field Name area at the top, select the check box for any field you want to add to your PivotTable. By default, non-numeric fields are added to the Row area, date and time fields are added to the Column area, and numeric fields are added to the Values area. You can also manually drag-and-drop any available item into any of the PivotTable fields, or if you no longer want an item in your PivotTable, simply drag it out of the Fields list or uncheck it. Being able to rearrange Field items is one of the PivotTable features that makes it so easy to quickly change its appearance.
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PivotTable Fields list |
Corresponding fields in a PivotTable |
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PivotTable Values
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Summarize by
By default, PivotTable fields that are placed in the Values area will be displayed as a SUM. If Excel interprets your data as text, it will be displayed as a COUNT. This is why it's so important to make sure you don't mix data types for value fields. You can change the default calculation by first clicking on the arrow to the right of the field name, then select the Field Settings option.
Next, change the calculation in the Summarize by section. Note that when you change the calculation method, Excel will automatically append it in the Custom Name section, like "Sum of FieldName", but you can change it. If you click the Number... button, you can change the number format for the entire field.
Tip: Since the changing the calculation in the Summarize by section will change the PivotTable field name, it's best not to rename your PivotTable fields until you're done setting up your PivotTable. One trick is to click Replace (on the Edit menu) >Find what > "Sum of", then Replace with > leave blank to replace everything at once instead of manually retyping.
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Show data as
Instead of using a calculation to summarize the data, you can also display it as a percentage of a field. In the following example, we changed our household expense amounts to display as a % of Grand Total instead of the sum of the values.
Once you've opened the Field Settings dialog, you can make your selections from the Show data as tab.
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Display a value as both a calculation and percentage.
Simply drag the item into the Values section twice, right-click the value and select Field Settings, then set the Summarize by and Show data as options for each one.
Refreshing PivotTables
If you add new data to your PivotTable data source, any PivotTables that were built on that data source need to be refreshed. To refresh just one PivotTable you can right-click anywhere in the PivotTable range, then select Refresh. If you have multiple PivotTables, first select any cell in any PivotTable, then on the Ribbon go to PivotTable Analyze > click the arrow under the Refresh button and select Refresh All.
Deleting a PivotTable
If you created a PivotTable and decide you no longer want it, you can simply select the entire PivotTable range, then press Delete. It won't have any affect on other data or PivotTables or charts around it. If your PivotTable is on a separate sheet that has no other data you want to keep, deleting that sheet is a fast way to remove the PivotTable.
Note: We're constantly working to improve PivotTables in Excel for the web. What you see in the video above may differ from what you actually see as we refine the experience.
Insert a PivotTable
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Select a table or range in your spreadsheet, and then select Insert > PivotTable.
The Insert PivotTable pane displays the data Source and the Destination where the PivotTable will be inserted, and offers some recommended PivotTables.
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Do one of the following:
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To create the PivotTable manually, select Create your own PivotTable.
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To use a Recommend PivotTable, scroll until you see the option you want, and then select + Insert.
The PivotTable appears at the Destination, and the PivotTable Fields pane appears.
Change the Source data or Destination cell
If you want, you can change the Source for the PivotTable data and the Destination cell where you want the PivotTable placed. The Destination cell should be outside the Source table or range.
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In the Insert PivotTable pane, select the link next to Source or the link next to Destination. The Insert PivotTable pane changes:
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Do one of the following:
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To change the Source, select Select a table or range to analyze: and follow the steps that appear.
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To change the Destination, select New Worksheet or Existing Worksheet under Choose a destination for the PivotTable, and then follow the steps that appear.
Note: You can also select an empty sheet where you want the PivotTable to appear (the Destination). In this case, or if you select an invalid Source, when you select Insert > PivotTable, the Insert PivotTable pane appears and asks you to specify the Source
Working with the PivotTable Fields pane
In the PivotTable Fields area at the top, select the check box for any field you want to add to your PivotTable. By default, non-numeric fields are added to the Rows area, date and time fields are added to the Columns area, and numeric fields are added to the Values area. You can also manually drag-and-drop any available item into any of the PivotTable fields, or if you no longer want an item in your PivotTable, simply drag it out of the Fields list or uncheck it. Being able to rearrange Field items is one of the PivotTable features that makes it so easy to quickly change its appearance.
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PivotTable Fields list |
Corresponding fields in a PivotTable |
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Working with PivotTable Values
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Summarize Values By
By default, PivotTable fields that are placed in the Values area will be displayed as a SUM. If Excel interprets your data as text, it will be displayed as a COUNT. This is why it's so important to make sure you don't mix data types for value fields. You can change the default calculation by first clicking on the arrow to the right of the field name, then select the Value Field Settings option.
Next, change the calculation in the Summarize Values By section. Note that when you change the calculation method, Excel will automatically append it in the Custom Name section, like "Sum of FieldName", but you can change it. If you click the Number Format button, you can change the number format for the entire field.
Tip: Since the changing the calculation in the Summarize Values By section will change the PivotTable field name, it's best not to rename your PivotTable fields until you're done setting up your PivotTable. One trick is to use Find & Replace (Ctrl+H) >Find what > "Sum of", then Replace with > leave blank to replace everything at once instead of manually retyping.
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Show Values As
Instead of using a calculation to summarize the data, you can also display it as a percentage of a field. In the following example, we changed our household expense amounts to display as a % of Grand Total instead of the sum of the values.
Once you've opened the Value Field Setting dialog, you can make your selections from the Show Values As tab.
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Display a value as both a calculation and percentage.
Simply drag the item into the Values section twice, then set the Summarize Values By and Show Values As options for each one.
Refreshing PivotTables
If you add new data to your PivotTable data source, any PivotTables that were built on that data source need to be refreshed. To refresh the PivotTable, you can right-click anywhere in the PivotTable range, then select Refresh.
Delete a PivotTable
If you created a PivotTable and decide you no longer want it, you can simply select the entire PivotTable range, then press Delete. It won't have any affect on other data or PivotTables or charts around it. If your PivotTable is on a separate sheet that has no other data you want to keep, deleting that sheet is a fast way to remove the PivotTable.
Need more help?
You can always ask an expert in the Excel Tech Community, get support in the Answers community, or suggest a new feature or improvement on Excel User Voice.
See Also
Use slicers to filter PivotTable data
Create a PivotTable timeline to filter dates
Create a PivotTable with the Data Model to analyze data in multiple tables
Create a PivotTable connected to Power BI Datasets
Use the Field List to arrange fields in a PivotTable
Change the source data for a PivotTable
