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How to Create a Pivot Table in Excel

Tap each step to follow along in order.

  1. Select the source data range

    Select the entire table you want to summarize with a pivot table.

  2. Click "Insert β†’ PivotTable"

    On the Insert tab, click "PivotTable" and choose where to place it.

  3. Drag fields into the right areas

    From the field list on the right, drag the items you want into the Rows, Columns, and Values areas.

  4. Change the summary calculation

    Use "Value Field Settings" to switch between sum, average, count, and other calculations.

  5. Why is this useful?

    It summarizes large amounts of data by category into totals or averages in just a few clicks, without writing any formulas.

Summarize thousands of rows at a glance

When you need to total or average massive raw data sets, like sales records or survey responses, by category, a pivot table lets you build that summary quickly without writing a single complex formula.

Check out auto filters too

Using an auto filter to narrow down a large table before or alongside building a pivot table is another useful way to work with big data sets efficiently.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a pivot table update automatically when the source data changes?

No. After editing the source data, you need to right-click the pivot table and select "Refresh" for the latest data to be reflected.

Can I turn a pivot table result into a chart?

Yes. With the pivot table selected, click "Insert PivotChart" to instantly visualize your summarized data.