First off don't panic, A pivot table is probably the most powerful analytic tool
there is in Excel, BUT, at the same time it honestly is one of the most simple
tools to use in it's basic form.
Second go take a look at the link Debra gave you.
Third, bear in mind that if the data you are given is in a reasonable database
format, then you will literally in 60 seconds, and I truly do mean 60 seconds,
be able to generate a report summarizing thousands upon thousands of rows of
data that may or may not have multiple columns. Assuming the data is already
formatted correctly, then all you need to remember is the following:-
Select all the data, headers included, Do data / Pivot table and Pivot Chart
report / Hit Next / Next / Finish, and then from here you simply drag in the
fields you want to summarise - Bingo you have a Pivot table. For the bulk of
what you will do it really is no harder than that.
Probably the most important thing about a Pivot table is getting the data in the
right format to begin with - once that is done you will have a whale of a time
analysing data in a way that will make people think you are a magician. A
couple of rules to remember which may not mean much now, but when you use the
table they may do:-
No blank columns allowed within your data
All columns MUST have a header - It's OK for some of the rows to be blank, but
you must have column headers.
If ever you try to group dates and get a message saying 'Cannot Group that
selection', then you likely have blanks or text values in whatever field
contains your dates - Go find and fix and all will be well.
If you were looking to SUM a set of values and it gives you a COUNT then right
click on the field, choose field settings and just change COUNT to SUM.
Finally, you can always post back here with as many specifics as you are able
and we can walk you through whatever you need.
