PivotTable



Asst. Prof. Dr. Somsak Chanaim

International College of Digital Innovation, CMU

June 20, 2026

Data Set

You can download the dataset from googledrive

1. Preparing Data Before Creating a PivotTable

1.1 Data Format

  • The dataset must be in a clean and complete tabular format:

    • Include headers in the first row, and each header must be unique.

    • Avoid empty rows or columns.

    • Do not use merged cells.

  • Ensure data consistency and clarity:

    • Columns with numeric values should only contain numbers.

    • Dates and text should be in an appropriate and consistent format.

  • Select the dataset, then go to Insert → Table (or press Ctrl + T).

  • Benefits of converting data into a table:

    • The table automatically expands when new data is added.

    • It helps prevent errors when selecting data ranges for the PivotTable.

2. Creating a PivotTable

Steps to Create a PivotTable

  1. Select the data range you want to analyze.

  2. Go to Insert → PivotTable.

  3. Configure the Create PivotTable window:

    • Table/Range: Specify the data range (Excel will auto-select it if you clicked within the table).

    • Choose where to place the PivotTable:

      • Select New Worksheet: Recommended for large datasets.

      • Or choose Existing Worksheet: Specify a location in the current sheet.

  4. Click OK.

3. Components of a PivotTable

After creating a PivotTable, you’ll see the following key components:

  1. PivotTable Layout (on the worksheet):
    The area where the summarized results are displayed.

  2. PivotTable Fields Pane (on the right):
    Use this pane to drag fields into specific areas:

    • Filters: Use to filter data, e.g., by year or product category.

    • Columns: Fields displayed as columns, e.g., Year, Quarter.

    • Rows: Fields displayed as rows, e.g., Product Name, Category.

    • Values: Numerical fields to be calculated, e.g., Sales, Quantity.

4. Managing Data in a PivotTable

4.1 Adjusting Fields in the Values Area

  • By default, the Values area usually uses Sum:

    • If the data is numeric, it calculates the sum.

    • If the data is text, it counts the number of entries (Count).

  • To change the calculation function:

    1. Click on the field in the [Values]]{.blue} area → choose Value Field Settings.

    2. Select the desired function, such as:

      • Average: Calculates the average.

      • Max/Min: Returns the maximum or minimum value.

      • Count: Counts the number of rows.

4.2 Filtering Data with Filters

  • Drag the desired field into the Filters area.

  • A dropdown menu will appear in the PivotTable, allowing you to select which values to display.

4.3 Sorting Data

  • Right-click on a row or column → select Sort:

    • Sort Ascending: Sorts from smallest to largest.

    • Sort Descending: Sorts from largest to smallest.

5. Customizing a PivotTable

5.1 Changing the PivotTable Style

  • Go to the Design tab:

    • Choose a suitable style from PivotTable Styles.

    • Turn Banded Rows or Banded Columns on/off to add alternating shading.

5.2 Show or Hide Subtotals & Grand Totals

  • In the Design tab:

    • Click Subtotals to show or hide subtotal rows.

    • Click Grand Totals to enable or disable total values for rows and columns.

:::{.callout-note icon=false} ## 5.3 Displaying Data as Percentages
- Right-click on a field in the Values area → select Show Values As:
- Choose % of Grand Total: Displays values as a percentage of the overall total.
- Or choose % of Row Total or % of Column Total: Displays values as a percentage of the row or column total.
:::
## 6. Advanced Analysis in PivotTable
:::{.callout-important icon=false} ## 6.1 Using Slicers
- Go to Insert → Slicer:
- Select the field you want to use as a graphical filter.
- Click the slicer buttons to easily filter data in the PivotTable. :::
:::{.callout-warning icon=false} ## 6.2 Adding Calculated Fields
- Use this to calculate values not included in the original data:
1. Click inside the PivotTable → go to Analyze → Fields, Items & Sets → Calculated Field.
2. Enter a name and a formula (e.g., = Sales * 1.07 to calculate tax). :::

6.3 Creating a PivotChart

  • Click on the PivotTable → go to Insert → PivotChart.

  • Choose the desired chart type, such as Column Chart or Pie Chart.

7. Updating and Modifying a PivotTable

7.1 Adding New Data

  • If the source data has been updated:

    • Right-click on the PivotTable → choose Refresh.

    • If the new data is outside the original range, change the data source:

      • Click the PivotTable → go to Analyze → Change Data Source.

7.2 Deleting a PivotTable

  • Select the entire PivotTable → press Delete.

Questions about Salesperson

  1. What is the total sales amount for each salesperson?
Row Labels Sum of Sales
Alice 66906.44
Bob 73714.11
Charlie 78768.91
Diana 52097.11
Grand Total 271486.57
  1. Which salesperson has the highest total sales, and how much?
Row Labels Sum of Sales
Charlie 78768.91
Bob 73714.11
Alice 66906.44
Diana 52097.11
Grand Total 271486.57
  1. What is the average sales per transaction for each salesperson?
Row Labels Count of Product Sum of Sales2 Average of Sales
Diana 17 52097.11 3064.535882
Bob 26 73714.11 2835.158077
Charlie 29 78768.91 2716.16931
Alice 28 66906.44 2389.515714
Grand Total 100 271486.57 2714.8657

Questions about Region

  1. Which region has the highest total sales?
Row Labels Sum of Sales
South 93637.37
East 67468.67
West 63422.14
North 46958.39
Grand Total 271486.57
  1. Which region has the lowest sales for each product type (Laptop, Phone, Tablet, Printer)?
Row Labels Sum of Sales
South 93637.37
\(~~~~\)Tablet 11522.37
\(~~~~\)Phone 21404.62
\(~~~~\)Laptop 28807.82
\(~~~~\)Printer 31902.56
East 67468.67
\(~~~~\)Printer 7646.67
\(~~~~\)Tablet 15776.21
\(~~~~\)Phone 18337.01
\(~~~~\)Laptop 25708.78
West 63422.14
\(~~~~\)Phone 5082.5
\(~~~~\)Tablet 14562.32
\(~~~~\)Printer 15684.25
\(~~~~\)Laptop 28093.07
North 46958.39
\(~~~~\)Tablet 5648.4
\(~~~~\)Printer 9721.27
\(~~~~\)Phone 13136.98
\(~~~~\)Laptop 18451.74
Grand Total 271486.57
  1. What is the average sales per transaction in each region?
Row Labels Average of Sales
South 3228.874828
North 2762.258235
West 2536.8856
East 2326.505862
Grand Total 2714.8657

Questions about Product

  1. Which product type has the highest total sales?
Row Labels Sum of Sales
Laptop 101061.41
Printer 64954.75
Phone 57961.11
Tablet 47509.3
Grand Total 271486.57
  1. What is the total sales of each product type in each region?
Row Labels East North South West Grand Total
Laptop 25708.78 18451.74 28807.82 28093.07 101061.41
Printer 7646.67 9721.27 31902.56 15684.25 64954.75
Phone 18337.01 13136.98 21404.62 5082.5 57961.11
Tablet 15776.21 5648.4 11522.37 14562.32 47509.3
Grand Total 67468.67 46958.39 93637.37 63422.14 271486.57
  1. Which product has the highest average sales per transaction?
Row Labels Average of Sales
Laptop 3158.169063
Printer 2598.19
Tablet 2500.489474
Phone 2415.04625
Grand Total 2714.8657

Combined Questions (Salesperson + Region + Product)

  1. Which salesperson has the highest sales in each region?
Row Labels Sum of Sales
South 93637.37
\(~~~~\)Charlie 35514.86
\(~~~~\)Diana 24285.28
\(~~~~\)Bob 17047.73
\(~~~~\)Alice 16789.5
East 67468.67
\(~~~~\)Alice 25484.17
\(~~~~\)Bob 16495.94
\(~~~~\)Diana 15864.55
\(~~~~\)Charlie 9624.01
West 63422.14
\(~~~~\)Bob 20756.88
\(~~~~\)Charlie 18575.6
\(~~~~\)Alice 16103.75
\(~~~~\)Diana 7985.91
North 46958.39
\(~~~~\)Bob 19413.56
\(~~~~\)Charlie 15054.44
\(~~~~\)Alice 8529.02
\(~~~~\) Diana 3961.37
Grand Total 271486.57
  1. What is the total sales of each product type, broken down by salesperson and region?

  1. In each region, which salesperson sold the most laptops?

Comparative and Analytical Questions

  1. What is the sales difference between the North and South regions?
Row Labels Sum of Sales
South 93637.37
North 46958.39
Difference 46678.98
  1. How do Phone sales compare to Laptop sales in each region?
Row Labels Phone Laptop Difference
East 18337.01 25708.78 -7371.77
North 13136.98 18451.74 -5314.76
South 21404.62 28807.82 -7403.2
West 5082.5 28093.07 -23010.57
  1. What percentage of the Grand Total is contributed by each salesperson?
Row Labels % of Grand Total Sum of Sales
Alice 22.91% 36425.15
Bob 27.33% 43457.24
Charlie 24.23% 38526.93
Diana 25.54% 40613.2
Grand Total 100.00% 159022.52

Summary Questions

  1. What is the overall total sales from all regions and all salespersons?

Answer: 271,486.57 USD

  1. Which salesperson in which region has the lowest total sales?

Answer: Diana, 3,961.37 USD

  1. What is the total number of sales (count) for each product type in each region?