How to Add a Field to a Pivot Table

Grouping your data into a pivot table allows you to arrange the information as you like and provides a way to illustrate the conclusions you can make from analyzing the data. Adding a field to a pivot table gives you another way to refine, sort and filter the data. The field you choose to add to your pivot table can be used as a row label, column label or even a report filter, depending upon your needs. Regardless of the scenario, we've got you covered.


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Steps

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    Launch Microsoft Excel.
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    Open the workbook file containing the source data and pivot table you'll be working with.
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    Select the tab for the worksheet on which your pivot table is displayed by clicking it.
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    Click inside the pivot table to force the Pivot Table Field List or Pivot Table Wizard to appear.
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    Review the pivot table, making note of the fields that have already been used as row labels and column labels.
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    Compare the pivot table to the source data to ascertain which fields remain available to be used.
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    Determine which field you would like to add to your pivot table.
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    Decide how you would like your data to be arranged by that field.
    • In a pivot table, the data is grouped and then arranged by the row and column fields. The data can then be filtered by a "Filter Report" field.
    • Add a field to your pivot table to provide another method by which the data is organized.
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    Drag the field you are adding and drop it into the "Row Labels" area.
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    Reorder the row labels in this section and observe how your pivot table changes.
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    Move the field into the "Column Labels" area and determine if this arrangement better suits your needs.
    • You can also reorder the fields in this section; doing so will provide a different display and grouping ​of the data.
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    Add a field to the "Report Filter" section and then click the arrow beside that filter in the pivot table.
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    Review the values made available by this filter field to test this arrangement.
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    Finalize your decision for the placement and arrangement of your newly added field.
    • Click and drag the field name of your added field and drop it into your preferred section in the "Pivot Table Field List."
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References

  1. http://www.contextures.com/CreatePivotTable.html
  2. http://www.cpearson.com/excel/pivots.htm

About This Article

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Co-authors: 6
Updated: March 28, 2019
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Categories: Spreadsheets
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