Formula guide · Excel and Google Sheets · Updated May 13, 2026
Pivot Table Basics
Build a simple pivot table to summarize rows by category, status, date, or owner.
Quick Answer
A pivot table is best when you need a fast summary of a clean table with headers.
Copyable Formula
No formula required. Use Insert > Pivot table.Syntax
Rows = category, Values = sum/count/average, Columns = optional split.Excel and Google Sheets
Worked Example
| Field | Pivot area |
|---|---|
| Region | Rows |
| Status | Columns |
| Amount | Values |
Result: Creates a summary of amount by region and status.
Steps
- Start from a clean table with one header row.
- Put the category you want to group by into Rows.
- Put the number you want to summarize into Values.
- Choose sum, count, or average depending on the report.
Common Mistakes
- Using merged cells in the source table.
- Leaving blank headers.
- Forgetting to refresh after source data changes.
Excel vs Google Sheets Notes
The core idea works in both Excel and Google Sheets, but separators, function availability, and array behavior can vary by account, locale, and version.
Editorial check: This guide was last updated May 13, 2026. Formula behavior can vary by Excel version, Google Sheets rollout, and spreadsheet locale.