Last updated: February 6, 2010 1:05 AM
Search Contextures Sites ![]()
Excel Pivot Table Tutorial -- Data Field Layout
1. Arrange Multiple Data Fields
2. Rename Data FieldsDownload the zipped sample file for this pivot table tutorial
Arrange Multiple Data FieldsIf you place two fields in the Data area of a Pivot Table, they might appear vertically arranged.
In this pivot table, the Units and Total fields have been added to the data area in the Pivot Table Wizard.
![]()
In the pivot table, the two data fields, Sum of Units and Sum of Total, appear in a single column, stacked vertically in the pivot table.
This layout makes it difficult to compare the Units sold for each product or to compare the total sales per product.
To make the data easier to read, you can rearrange the table layout. If you move the data fields into the pivot table's column area, each data field will appear in a single column.
To change the layout, follow these steps:
- In the pivot table, point to the grey button for the Data field
- Hold the left mouse button, and drag the Data button onto the cell which contains the word 'Total'
- Release the mouse button
The Data fields will now be arranged horizontally, with each data field in a single column.
Watch a short pivot table tutorial video:
Arrange Pivot Table Data Fields Horizontally
Rename Data Fields
When you add fields to the Data area, they are renamed, e.g. 'Units' becomes 'Sum of Units'. Instead of using these default names, you can change the field names to something shorter, or more descriptive.
There are several ways to change the names, but the following is probably the easiest.
- Select the heading cell in the Pivot Table.
- Type a new heading.
- Press the Enter key.
Note: The typed name can't be the same as the original field name. For example, if the original field name is Units, you can't change 'Sum of Units' to 'Units'. However, you can type the original field name, and add a space character at the end, e.g. 'Units ' or at the beginning -- ' Units'
Download the zipped sample file for this pivot table tutorial
Contextures Inc., Copyright © 2009.
All rights reserved.