Excel Pivot Tables: Comprehensive Beginners Guide To Get Started and Learn Excel Pivot Tables from A-Z

Pivot Tables appear very complex to many Excel users—and rightly so considering the very powerful results they can generate. But that is as far removed from the truth as the day is from the night. When you understand how Pivot Tables work, you’ll wonder why you haven’t given them more of a chance. Then there are those who have tried to learn how to use Pivot Tables by using the help file in Excel, yet they failed to grasp them. Others have invested time and money to get instruction manuals or tutorials that attempt to explain this powerful Excel tool, but because of the somewhat complex style of presentation of such manuals, it becomes difficult to comprehend and further discourages those who are willing to learn. Even some of the tutorials that are relatively easy to read do not contain real-life applications of Pivot Table functions. It’s a bit like learning abstract things that don’t really have any meaningful impact on your life. In this guidebook, I have presented all the steps you will need to understand and use Excel’s Pivot Tables. I have taken the time to build this comprehensive guide from scratch, to finish with step-by-step instructions, including screenshots, to help you conceptualize what is being taught in this guide. I have left no stone unturned in order to give you the very best explanation with regards to Pivot Tables. If you follow the easy to implement steps in this guidebook, it is my promise to you that your Excel work output will drastically increase, thereby saving you time and unnecessary hassle. By the time you really get the hang of using Pivot Tables, you will see how the information you generate using them will greatly impact positively on decision-making and saving time, both for you and for your organization (if you use Excel for a company). Aside from giving you clear and easy steps to perform each task, I have also included likely scenarios where you may find a use for the Pivot Table functions explained in this book. Many times, users who attempt to use Pivot Tables (and other complex tools), tend to get frustrated when they have to follow a method that does not give them room for customization. I have been there, so I understand exactly how it feels. That is why in this guidebook, you do not only get steps on the “how-to” of Pivot Tables; I also give you tips and workarounds that will save you a lot of headaches and frustration. Grab this Book Today and Enhance your knowledge pertaining to Excel Pivot Tables! Introduction This Guidebook Is For You If... Chapter 1: Pivot Tables Explained Uses of Pivot Tables Display Percentages of Totals Head Counts Comparing Totals Working with Default Values on Empty Cells A Quick Detour Differences between the Worksheet, Tables, and Pivot Table A Worksheet A Table A Pivot Table Chapter 2: Creating Pivot Tables Step 1: Get Your Source Data Ready Step 2: Sort Your Source Data (Optional) Step 3: Highlight or Specify Cell Range for Creating Pivot Table Step 4: Drag Fields to Appropriate Areas Perform Additional Fine-tuning More about Tables Automatic Range Update Multiple Pivot Table Refresh No Filter Controls Error Automatic Column Fields No Need for Referencing an Entire Column Smart Range Selection Tips on Source Data Suggestions Quick Exercise Chapter 3: Advantages of Pivot Tables Speed No Formulas Quick and Efficient Solutions Versatility Accuracy and Reliability Easily Updated Chapter 4: Let’s Take a Few Steps Further Test-Run Your Pivot Table Sorting Your Report Applying Filters Using Slicers Choosing Your Preferred Calculation Tips on Pivot Table Fields Suggestions Quick Exercise Chapter 5: More Functions Grouping Data Custom Grouping for Subtotals Custom Grouping for Range of Numbers (Frequency Distribution) Creating Multi-Level Reports Inserting Multiple Fields in the Rows Area Inserting Multiple Fields in the Values Area Inserting Multiple Fields in the Filters Area Tips on Dragging Fields Suggestions Quick Exercise Chapter 6: Frequently Used Pivot Table Options The Show Value As option % of Grand Total % of Column Total % of Row Total Difference From Running Total In The Summarize Values By option Sum Count Average Max Min Product Count Numbers An Example of the Product function The Count Numbers versus the Count function General Notes Chapter 7: Editing, Formatting, and Updating Your Pivot Table Report Editing Your Headers Formatting Your Report Formatting the Pivot Table Report Formatting Numbers Formatting Empty Cells Formatting Error Values Updating Your Pivot Table Reflecting Changes in Your Pivot Table Changing Your Source Data AutoFit Headaches Tips on Editing and Formatting Suggestions Quick Exercise Chapter 8: Pivot Charts Pivot Charts versus Standard Excel Charts Inserting Pivot Charts Using Pivot Chart Filters Changing A Pivot Chart Type Pivot Chart Elements Pivot Chart Styles Tips on Pivot Charts Quick Exercise Chapter 9: Moving and Deleting Pivot Tables and Charts Moving Pivot Tables Cut and Paste Move PivotTable Option Clearing Pivot Tables Deleting Pivot Tables Moving Pivot Charts Clearing Pivot Charts Deleting Pivot Charts Tips for Deleting and Moving Pivot Tables and Charts Suggestions Quick Exercise Chapter 10: Other Pivot Table Functions/Options Report Layout Show in Compact Form Show in Outline Form Show in Tabular Form Repeat All Item Labels Do not Repeat Item Labels Field List +/- Buttons Timeline Using Time Periods on the Timeline Connecting and Disconnecting Timelines Using Multiple Pivot Tables with a Single Timeline To Remove a Timeline Filter (Clear Timeline) To Delete a Timeline Calculated Fields Simple Calculated Fields Modifying Calculated Fields Deleting Calculated Fields Advanced Calculated Fields Pros and Cons of Calculated Field Pros Cons About Calculated Items Digging Deep into a Pivot Table Data Tips on Timelines, Digging Deep, Expanding/Collapsing Items, and Calculated Field Suggestions Quick Exercise Conclusion References