Microsoft Excel - Pivot Tables

One thing I do find funny in my line of work is the amount of IT people that don't use Pivot tables. Pivot tables can save the user so much time when it comes to querying large amounts of data. The premise is simple; I have a large list of data, I want to inspect it and create summaries. That's what they are all about, what I find is when people hear the term "Pivot Tables" they get scared!

In my training days I used to calm people down and show them the power in 10 minutes and hey guess what! That's what I will try to do here!

I will say that I think Microsoft have jumped the shark a little bit on the new version of Excel, as what was once a simple joy to use has become extremely complicated. I understand the reasoning for it as Excel is Microsoft's strategic BI platform for cubes coming from Analysis Services for users to perform ad-hoc querying of massive amounts of data. However, I think that putting a complex face on something as cute as Pivot tables is the same as putting a Freddy Kruger mask on a cute little kitten! Basically, the new layout deters new users from using them. I pride myself on my knowledge and the new version took me quite a while to get to grips with (maybe I am getting old!)

Anyway, from reading this you may thing I am anti-Pivot table, I'm not, it's just they have focused on making Pivot Tables so complex that they forgot about the user. I have aimed this video for all users of Excel, so the way I tackle this subject is not how I would normally do Pivot tables in Excel 2007, but have opted to use an approach which works regardless of version.

So I hope this video will make sense of its core features (not all by a long shot) and allow you to take control of your data.

Included in the video is an Excel File which you can download from www.PCTeach.Me I recommend you download this file as this will give you something to play with and there are loads of possibilities to try.

As always, if you have any questions you can reach me at PC Teach Me!

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[neogutsman]

Just wanted to say thank you ever so much for this informative and succinct tutorial on pivot tables. Excel is an amazing tool, but it can be incredibly challenging to learn how to take advantage of its functionality. Keep up the great work!

[PCTeachME]

@neogutsman Thanks for taking the time to respond. Oh yes Excel is a massive tool suitable for Accountants and NASA Sciencetists. Excel is something I use everyday but find difficult to provide videos on. If there is something in particular you want to know...send me a message.

[patwalpriya]

Great Video..

Thanks for all the help... it definitely added to my understanding of MS Excel.

Easy to understand and very smoothly explained.

Good goin!!!

[PCTeachME]

@patwalpriya Hi there!

Thanks for the feedback. On my site (PCTeach.me) Excel is the least covered area, which I am in the processes of rectifying. If there is something of interest you would like to know. Now is the time to ask and put your request to the top of the pile!

Thanks!

Jon

[bcwu3628]

Excellent tutorial. Quick, simple and to the point!

[brolicom]

Helpful to learn unkown features of Excel. Regards from Buenos Aires, Argentina.