Excel Hacks Ebook [Electronic resources] نسخه متنی

Hacks #46-49

PivotTables are one of
Excel's most powerful attractions, though many
people don't know what they do. PivotTables display
and extract a variety of information from a table of data that
resides within either Microsoft Excel or another compatible database
type. PivotTables are frequently used to extract statistical
information from raw data. You can drag around the different fields
within a PivotTable to view its data from different perspectives.

The raw data for a PivotTable must be laid out in a classic table format. Row 1 of the table must be headings, with related data directly underneath. The data should not contain blank columns or blank rows. Even if you aren't planning to use PivotTables, keeping your raw data in this format makes it possible for other people to analyze your data with PivotTables.

If you have not yet delved into
the world of PivotTables, you should consider doing so. As a starting
point, visit http://www.ozgrid.com/Excel/default and
work your way through Microsoft's free online
tutorial for Excel PivotTables. To learn even more about the benefits
of PivotTables as well as how you can create hacks that make
PivotTables even more flexible and powerful, read on.