Introduction to pivot table
Introduction to pivot table
Figure 1: Pivot table used to run automatic calculations on summed or counted values
3. Segment data by date, the user, or other variables and calculate totals
Pivot tables allow you to segment data effortlessly. This enables in-depth analysis
based on specific criteria such as date, user name, or other customizable variable.
With this feature, you can generate time-sensitive reports invaluable for assessing
trends, identifying patterns, and making informed decisions.
For example, if you’re a sales manager, you can analyze revenue by quarter. If
you’re an HR professional, you can analyze employee performance by department.
Project managers can track progress across different phases.
Figure 3: Pivot table used to segment data
Sum
Average
Count
Explore different perspectives and patterns in your data using Excel’s drag-and-drop
interface. Also, try formatting the table to enhance its visual appeal and make it more
accessible for presentations or reports.
These are just a few examples of roles that require good pivot tables skills.
Developing a strong understanding of pivot tables can significantly enhance
performance in these positions and contribute to data-driven decision-making and
analysis.
References
Alooba. (2024). Pivot Tables [online]. Available from:
https://www.alooba.com/skills/concepts/spreadsheets/pivot-tables/#:~:text=Research
ers%20in%20various%20fields%20use,knowledge%20in%20their%20respective
%20fields. [accessed 8 January 2025].
Tremblay, T. (2022). Mastering Pivot Tables: Examples and Practical Uses [online].
Available from: https://www.kohezion.com/blog/what-is-a-pivot-table-examples-and-
uses/ [accessed 8 January 2025].