Chapter 33: Introducing Pivot Tables
In This Chapter
Understanding pivot tables
Identifying types of data appropriate for a pivot table
Getting clear on pivot table terminology
Creating pivot tables
Looking at pivot table examples that answer specific questions about data
The PivotTable feature is perhaps the most technologically sophisticated component in Excel. With only a few mouse clicks, you can slice and dice a data table in dozens of different ways and produce just about any type of summary you can think of.
If you haven't yet discovered the power of pivot tables, this chapter provides an introduction, and Chapter 34 continues with many examples that demonstrate how easy it is to create powerful data summaries using pivot tables.
About Pivot Tables
A pivot table is essentially a dynamic summary report generated from a database. The database can reside in a worksheet (in the form of a table) or in an external data file. A pivot table can help transform endless rows and columns of numbers into a meaningful presentation of the data — and do it so quickly you'll be amazed.
For example, a pivot table can create frequency distributions and cross-tabulations of several different data dimensions. In addition, you can display subtotals and any level of detail that you want.
Perhaps the most innovative aspect of a pivot table is its interactivity. After you create a pivot table, you can rearrange the information in almost any way imaginable and even insert special formulas that ...
