How to Organize a Pivot Table in Excel

Organize a pivot table by using the pivot table fields in the left task pane.

Excel pivot tables are used to manage and organize large volumes of data. When the pivot table is created, it is completely empty. You can organize the pivot table by adding fields to the column and row sections of the pivot table. You can also add data to the sum value and the filter section. The power of pivot tables is the ability to customize how the data looks when you drag or pivot data in the different available sections.

Instructions

1. Open Excel 2007 and select a workbook containing a large amount of data. Click the "Office" button and select "Open." Browse your network and find the workbook. Double-click the workbook. The workbook opens.

2. Highlight the data in the workbook and select the "Insert" tab. Select "Pivot Table." A drop-down list appears. Select "Pivot Table." The Pivot Table dialog box appears. Click "OK." A blank pivot table appears in a new worksheet.

3. Add fields to the pivot table by checking fields in the right "Pivot Table Field List." The fields appear in the column section by default. Drag fields from the "Column Label" section to the "Row Label" section to see how your data is reorganized.

4. Add numerical fields to the "Sum Values" field. Apply a filter to the pivot table by dragging fields to the "Report Filter" section of the "Pivot Table Field List."

5. Save your pivot table by clicking the "Save" button on the Quick Access Toolbar. The pivot table is organized and ready for changes or printing.

References

• Microsoft: Create or delete a PivotTable or PivotChart report

Resources

• Microsoft: Excel Help and How To