Create Pivot Tables In Google Sheets

Google Sheets Pivot Tables

If you have moved away from Microsoft Excel and deep dived into the utilities of Google Sheets, then you probably know that Google Sheets has really transformed into a cloud-based excel over the last few years. Every few months, new features are being added that improve the spreadsheet user experience. For any kind of excel/google sheets platform, one of the most important functions is the pivot table. A pivot table is one of the most widely used features in business due to the ability to group data into a summarized view. Pivot tables allow you to slice and dice your data into specific columns and rows to make it easy to analyze. In Accounting, pivot tables make life easier when trying to compile data into journal entries. We talk about Digital Finance a lot and we do consider using pivot tables as a Digital Finance initiative as it does save time and effort.

Here is a video of how to create pivot tables in google sheets if you prefer to follow that format.

Once you have your data pasted in Google Sheets with headers for each column, then you are able to create pivots. To do this, you will need to click on Data in the menu, then select the Pivot Table option.

You will then be asked to select the data range of your data or confirm the data range that was recognized. The popup box will also ask if you want the pivot table on a new sheet or existing sheet.

One revolutionary feature of pivot tables in Google Sheets is the Suggested box. Google tries to read your column headers and uses machine learning to guess how you want to slice and dice your data, so if any of the suggestions are what you plan on building, then that will save you time.

In the Editor, you will see that you will be able to add Rows, Columns, Values, and Filters. It works the same way as Excel. If you want your data viewed in a summary format, the pivot table will start grouping rows/columns to make it cleaner when viewed. Google Sheets pivots also support the creation of calculated fields so if you want to add a calculation, there will be an option to create one when you try to add a Values field. All in all, creating pivot tables in the cloud is the future when analyzing data.

Keep in mind that Google Sheets has a limit on how much data it can hold. Google is adding support for more rows over time so sooner or later, it will beat excel in data storage as well.