understanding pivot tables in excel 2013

It displays the results in a second table (called a “pivot table”) showing the summarized data. Among other functions, a pivot-table can automatically sort, count total or give the average of the data stored in one table or spreadsheet. You'll see the data has been stored in the SERIES formulas in the chart.In data processing, a pivot table is a data summarization tool found in data visualization programs such as spreadsheets or business intelligence software. Now if you delete a pivot table connected to a pivot chart, the chart reverts to a normal chart. To filter data in a pivot chart, you can work directly field buttons (if they are visible) or by filtering the pivot table itself. One key difference is that pivot charts don't have the Chart Filter menu you normally see when a chart is selected. You can format axes, and remove elements, change formatting, and so on. In most respects, a pivot chart is just like any other chart. In fact, I can use the Switch Row/Column button, common to all charts, to swap fields in both pivot chart and pivot table. If I add a field to the columns area in the pivot table, it shows up in the Legend of the chart. This is just to make it easier to understand how pivot table fields are connected to the chart.Īny change I make the to the pivot chart is reflected in the pivot table and vice versa. Row Labels are called Axis fields, and Column Labels are referred to as Legend Fields. Notice the title of the window and the names in the field list are slightly different when the chart is selected. When I click away, this list disappears, and when I click back it reappears. The Design and Format tabs for a pivot chart are the same as you'll see when you select a regular chart.Īs with many other things in Excel, you can access several useful commands by right-clicking a pivot chart.īoth a pivot table and pivot chart trigger the field list you'll see when a pivot table is selected. The Analyze tab has controls for naming the pivot chart, accessing chart options, field settings, controls for inserting slicers and timelines, refresh and data source settings, clearing and moving the chart, calculated fields and items, and controls to toggle on and off the field list and field buttons. When you select a pivot chart, you'll see the PivotChart Tools menu appear on the ribbon, with Analyze, Design, and Format tabs. When you select a pivot table, you'll see the PivotTable Tools menu appear on the ribbon, with Analyze and Design tabs. The first thing to notice is that both pivot tables and pivot charts change Excel's interface when selected. To illustrate this connection, I'll start by creating a new pivot table and pivot chart. A pivot chart is always linked to a pivot table, and you can't change one without changing the other. Pivot charts are an extension of pivot tables.

In this video, we'll look at how a pivot table and pivot chart are connected.

Understanding pivot tables in excel 2013