Default calculation for data fields in Pivot Tables?

[KDJ]

Hello

Can anyone tell me what the "rule" is on which calculation Excel suggests
when I drag a field into the data area of a Pivot Table?

I realise that if I am using text it can only suggest "count" but sometimes
it suggests counting, even though the data contains numbers.

Can the default be set somehow?

 

[Debra Dalgleish]

In Excel 2003, if a field contains blank cells, or cells with text, the
pivot table summary function will default to COUNT. Otherwise, it will SUM.

So there may be some blank cells in that column of numbers, or some of
the numbers are entered as text.