by contextures.com
Long ago, there was a Chart Wizard in Excel, and it had some built-in Combination Chart Types, like Column-Line. The Chart Wizard disappeared in Excel 2007, along with the combo chart type options.
Continue reading “Combo Column Line Pivot Chart in Excel 2013”
When you create a pivot table in your workbook, the source data records are saved in a special memory area – a pivot cache. Then, when you close the file, Excel can save the source data in this pivot cache, or clear that memory.
Keep reading, to see how you can change this setting, and learn the advantages and disadvantages of either choice.
Note: If you want to re-create the source data, see: Re-create the Source Data
A frequent question about pivot tables is how to create one from data on different worksheets, or even in different file. Last week, I updated my page on this topic, which shows several ways you can accomplish this goal.
When you create a pivot table, do you just slap it together, and hope for the best, or do you spend time experimenting with different calculations, layouts and field arrangements?
Yes, it’s easy to fall into a rut, and create the same type of pivot table, each time that you build one. That makes it quick and easy to get the job done, but you might not be presenting the data in the best way possible.
It’s time to give your pivot table a makeover, so it looks better, and its data is easier to read and understand.
In addition to using fields from the source data, you can create calculated fields in a pivot table, to add your own formulas. For example, add a field that multiplies the total sales by 3%, to show a Bonus amount.
You can learn the basics of Calculated Fields on my Contextures website.
Last week, someone asked me how they could get rid of the extra items that appear in the filter, when you group a date field. Maybe you’ve seen them too – they start with a less than or greater than symbol, and show the first and last dates in your pivot table data.
You can see an example in the screen shot below.
Continue reading “Grouping Dates Add Extra Items in Pivot Table Filter”
One of the top pivot table fears in our survey was “How do you insert a calculated field?” And no wonder it was near the top of the list – pivot table formulas can be very confusing!
So, let’s take a look at calculated fields, and its close companion, the calculated item.
Continue reading “Create a Calculated Field in a Pivot Table”
Thanks to everyone who entered the Pivot Table Training giveaway, for a chance to win an amazing online course from John Michaloudis, at My Excel Online Training.
You shared your biggest pivot table fears, and you can see the voting result below. In the upcoming weeks, I’ll cover some of these topics, and all of them are covered in comprehensive John’s online pivot table course.
The winners are listed below, and each person has been sent an email, with instructions for claiming their prize. Winners will have 24 hours to respond, by adding a comment in this blog post, and if they don’t claim the prize, another random name will be selected.
We’re having a pivot table training giveaway, and there are only a few days left to enter – the deadline is Sunday, November 9th, 2014, at 11:59 PM (Eastern Time)
If you enter, you could win one of the 3 Xtreme Pivot Table Courses ($199 value), thanks to John Michaloudis, from My Excel Online Training. This amazing course has:
Halloween is a couple of days away, and you’ll see many frightening things that night. Keep an eye out for vampires, witches, ghosts and monsters!
Something else that scares some people is a pivot table. Even though it’s a beautiful thing, a pivot table can be scary if you’re not sure how to handle one.
