Excel Data Analysis For Dummies, 5th Edition

Chapter 8

Building PivotCharts

IN THIS CHAPTER

Shaking hands with the PivotChart

Learning the difference between a PivotTable and a PivotChart

Messing around with PivotCharts

Making your PivotCharts look good

If a PivotTable appeals to the left side of your brain — the analytical side that likes numbers — the PivotChart will likely appeal to the right side of your brain — the visual side that likes patterns. That’s because a PivotChart is to a PivotTable what a regular chart is to a range. That is, the PivotChart is a graphical representation of the PivotTable. The PivotChart enables you to visualize the PivotTable report by displaying the value area results in chart form.

However, you can also say that a PivotChart is to a regular chart what a PivotTable is to a regular range. In other words, the PivotChart goes far beyond the capabilities of a simple chart because the PivotChart comes with most of the same features that make PivotTables so powerful: You can filter the results to see just the data you need, and you can pivot fields from one area of the PivotChart to another to ...