Chapter 29: Introducing PivotTables
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If your data is in an external database, start by selecting a blank cell. When you choose Insert ➪ Tables ➪
Recommended PivotTables, the Choose Data Source dialog box appears. Select Use an External Data Source and
then click Choose Connection to specify the data source. You’ll see the thumbnails of the list of recommended
PivotTables.
If none of the Recommended PivotTables is suitable, you have two choices:■ (^) Create a PivotTable that’s close to what you want and then use the PivotTable Fields
task pane to modify it.
■ (^) Click the Blank PivotTable button (at the bottom of the Recommended PivotTables
dialog box) and create a PivotTable manually.
Creating a PivotTable Manually
In this section, we describe the basic steps required to create a PivotTable using the bank
account data described earlier in this chapter. Creating a PivotTable is an interactive pro-
cess. It’s not at all uncommon to experiment with various layouts until you find one with
which you’re satisfied. If you’re unfamiliar with the elements of a PivotTable, see the side-
bar “PivotTable Terminology.”
Specifying the data
If your data is in a worksheet range, select any cell in that range and then choose Insert ➪
Tables ➪ PivotTable. The Create PivotTable dialog box, shown in Figure 29.8, appears.
FIGURE 29.8
In the Create PivotTable dialog box, you tell Excel where the data is and where you want the
PivotTable.