Overview

Creating neat, informative summaries in Excel from huge lists of raw data is a common challenge. Pivot Tables, one of Excel’s hidden gems, can solve this problem. With a few mouse clicks you can calculate summary information without writing a single formula or copying a single cell.

But the most notable feature of Pivot Tables is that you can arrange them dynamically. For example, suppose that you have created a summary of training courses per location. With the drag of a mouse, you can easily rearrange the Pivot Table so that it summarizes the data based on trainer or class size or any other element. This process of rearranging your table is known as pivoting your data: you’re turning the same information around to examine it from different angles.

Many experienced spreadsheet users avoid Pivot Tables because they seem too complicated at first glance. The real problem is that Pivot Tables are rarely explained properly. By attending this presentation, you’ll discover the power and simplicity of Pivot Tables.

Date and Time

27 August 2009, 20:00 – 21:30 BST

Presenter

Mike Thomas