Office365: Excel-Creating a Pivot Table

Overview

A PivotTable is a tool in Microsoft Excel that helps summarize and analyze large sets of data. Instead of manually adding formulas, a PivotTable automatically groups and calculates information such as totals, averages, or counts.

Considerations

• Your data should be organized in rows and columns with clear column headers.
• Avoid blank rows or blank columns within the dataset.
• Each column should contain one type of information (for example: names, dates, or numbers).
• PivotTables summarize data but do not change the original dataset.

Steps

You can Watch this video to explore the rows, columns, values, or filters section.

1. Select any cell within in the table of data you want to make into a PivotTable. If you need help creating a table go to How to Create a Table.
2. Navigate to the Insert tab in the top left of Excel.
   
3. Click on "PivotTable," just under the Insert tab
4. Choose where the Pivot table should be placed - existing or new worksheet. (usually New Worksheet)
   Note: On the web version, the options will show up on the right hand side. On desktop, they will show up underneath the PivotTable button.
5. A new sheet will open with the pivot table.
   
6. Click on the PivotTable, the fields will appear on the right hand side of the screen.
7. Drag fields from the Pivot Table Fields panel into the rows, columns, values, or filters areas to organize your data.