Key Points

• Learn how to create and utilize pivot tables in Excel 2013 and 2016.
• Pivot tables help summarize large datasets without altering original data.
• Easily calculate totals, averages, and other metrics with a few clicks.

Introduction

In this video, Susan Hope Bard introduces the powerful tool of pivot tables in Excel 2013 and 2016, describing it as the "Jedi Master" of Excel tools for transforming large datasets into concise reports 0.

When to Use Pivot Tables

Pivot tables are ideal for categorizing, summarizing, and reorganizing data. For instance, if you have a report with over 3,000 rows of donation data, a pivot table can help you create a manageable report quickly 43.

Preparing Your Data

Start with clean data fields, such as clear column headers like lastname, FirstName, fiscal year, city, state, and donation amount 87.

Creating a Pivot Table

To create a pivot table, select cell A1, go to the Insert menu, and choose PivotTable. The PivotTable wizard will guide you through selecting your data 110.

Selecting Fields

In the pivot table fields section, choose the fields you want to display. For example, select state and donation amount to compare total donations by state 193.

Calculating Metrics

You can easily switch between total sums and averages by accessing the Value Field settings. This allows for flexible analysis of your data 264.

Conclusion

Pivot tables are a fun and efficient way to analyze data in Excel. Try creating your own to see the benefits firsthand 305.