Pivot tables are powerful. Use these 6 tricks to save time when working with them.
1 - Double click to see details
Ever wondered what numbers add up to the total in a pivot table value area? Simply double click to investigate. Excel will show all underlying values.
Extra tip: Don’t forget to delete such detail worksheets as they can create duplicate data.
2 - Format value fields quickly
The default value field formatting is useless. Often, we need to change the values to currency or accounting formats. You can do this quickly by right clicking on the values instead of going to Value Field Settings > Number Formats route.
See this image to understand the process.
🙏 Thanks to Srinivas who taught me this trick on my YouTube channel (link)
3 - Include filtered items in subtotals
Let’s say you have a pivot table with Sales by product & region. You filter out some products. The grand totals change. This can be inaccurate.
If you want to to include filtered items in the totals you can use the option in “Subtotals” menu in ribbon. Oh wait a sec, that is grayed out 🤔🤔🤔
Turns out you can ungray it. All you need is to use data model. Click on “Add to data model” in the insert pivot screen you are able to use this feature.
🙏 Thanks to Ryan who taught me this tip on my YouTube channel (link)
4 - Consistent pivot charts with a simple trick
Let’s say you have a pivot chart linked to a slicer showing sales by product in selected region. As you don’t sell all products in all regions, the chart looks jumpy with inconsistent axis.
Something like this:
You can make the axis consistent by formatting the row label to show “items with no data”. To do this, select the row labels area of the pivot, right click and go to “Field settings”. Now from display area, enable “Items with no data” option.
Your chart looks much better.
5 - Repeat row labels
Tabular form is my favorite layout for pivot. It looks clear and easy on eyes.
Do you know that you can enable “Repeat item labels” option to make the tabular layout even better.
Bonus tip: When you repeat item labels, you can use Pivot Tables in other formulas (like SUMIFS) easily.
6 - Multiple pages with Report Filters
You got a handy little pivot report that details the performance of a region. Now you want to make similar reports for rest of the 16 regions too.
You can use Report Filters to quickly create all versions of this report in one click. Here is a demo of how report filters work.
Pivot Table Tricks - Video
If you want to view all these tricks + my new haircut, check out below video. You can also watch this on my YouTube channel here.
More Pivot Table goodness
Work with data often? Then learn Pivot tables you must.
Check out below pages to pick up valuable pivoting skills.
Got some tricks? Teach me...
You can teach an old dog new tricks. If you know a cool & useful Pivot Table trick, post it in comments. I am eager to learn from you.
6 Responses to “A quick personal update”
Thank you for the personal update. It was quite encouraging and a breath of fresh air in my Inbox. Take care and stay safe.
David
Doctors advise:
Virus obstructs lungs with thick mucus that solidifies.
Consume lot hot liquids like tea, soup, and sip of hot liquid every 20 min
Gargle w antiseptic of lemon, vinegar, & hot water daily
It attaches to hair/clothes detergent kills it, when come from st go straight shower
Hang dirty clothes in sunlight/cold overnight or wash immediately.
Wash metal surfaces as it can live on them 9 days
Do not touch hand rails
Do not smoke
Wash hands foaming 20 sec every 20 min
Eat fruit/veg and up zinc levels.
Animals do not spread it
Avoid common flu
Avoid eat/drink cold things
If feel sore throat do above immediate as virus is there 3-4 days before descends into lungs
Would love help with my database mgt in excel.
Thanks for being thoughtful of us.
BTW How do you track your expenses/income in excel? Can you share the worksheet please.
Stay safe you and your family, best wishes.
Thanks for the update and happy to know that you and family are doing good. A 21 day lockdown has now been announced in India (I live around Kolkata) so it's uncertain times ahead. I check up on your wonderful articles often and will do so even more regularly now. Stay safe and God bless.
Hi from Argentina, I follow you for a lot of years now. We here are in a quarantine for 2 or 3 weeks, because the pandemia.
Excel is also my passion and I came here looking for a Num2Words formula, but in spanish. If anyone have it, please let me know.
Best regards.
Pablo Molina
La Rioja - Argentina
I'm glad to have your personal update. I'm from India & following you for so many years. Cheers to have any further personal update.