Advanced Excel · Beginner level

Beginner level · Module 4: PivotTables and PivotCharts · Lesson 1 of 3

Building PivotTables

Create PivotTables from tables and arrange fields to answer business questions.

In this lesson you will

  • Create a PivotTable from an Excel table
  • Arrange rows, columns, values and filters

Key concepts

PivotTablefield areasvalue summarisationrefresh

The lesson

A PivotTable summarises a table by dragging fields into areas: Rows (for example product), Columns (branch), Values (sum of amount) and Filters (month).

Values can be summed, counted, averaged or shown as maximums. Number-format the values so they are easy to read.

PivotTables do not update automatically: refresh after the data changes (Data > Refresh All). Building them on a table ensures new rows are included.

Step by step

  1. Insert a PivotTable from the Sales table.
  2. Show sales by product and branch.
  3. Add a month filter.
  4. Add new data, refresh and check.

Practice activity

Answer the first four questions of the practical activity with PivotTables.

Expected result: Correct summaries that update after a refresh.

Check your understanding

  1. Which PivotTable area holds the numbers being summarised?

    Show answer

    Values.

  2. Do PivotTables update automatically when data changes?

    Show answer

    No; they must be refreshed.

Taught live by an instructor — online or in person. Free course lessons are for self-study and do not lead to a certificate — see registration options.