How to build a pivot table
- Open a CSV file. The first text column goes into Rows and the first number column into Values.
- Choose a field for Columns to spread the values across, or leave it empty for a single column of results.
- Pick the aggregate: Sum, Average, Count, Distinct count, Min, Max or Median. Choose Count of rows as the value to count records.
- Copy the table into a spreadsheet or download it as CSV.
Shade cells by value tints each cell from light to strong gold so the largest numbers stand out. Use the group-by tool when you want several aggregates side by side instead of a grid.
Frequently asked questions
How are the totals calculated?
Totals are aggregated from the original rows. For a sum the total equals the sum of the cells, but for an average, median, minimum or distinct count the total is the true figure for the whole row or column, not a sum or average of the cells.
Can I show percentages?
Yes. With Sum or Count you can show each cell as a share of the grand total, of its row total or of its column total.
How do I pivot by month?
Put a date column in Rows or Columns and set Group dates by to Month. Weeks, quarters and years work the same way.
How many columns can a pivot table have?
Up to 200 column groups are shown; the note under the table says if any were left out. Swap Rows and Columns if a field has many values.