If you’re familiar with Excel or Google Sheets, you probably already know how useful pivot tables can be for analyzing and visualizing data. But did you know that you can also create charts based on these pivot tables? In this article, we’ll show you exactly how to do that.
Creating a Pivot Chart
A pivot chart is similar to a chart created from a data table, with the difference being that it is specifically based on a pivot table. Here’s how to proceed:
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Click on your pivot table, then in the ribbon, go to “Analyzing Pivot Table” and select “Pivot Chart”.
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Choose the type of chart you want to create (column, line, bar, etc.) and select the chart style (e.g., clustered columns) for that chart type. To insert the chart into the spreadsheet, click “OK”.
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To move the chart, click somewhere in the middle of the chart – your mouse should have a small black cross – and drag the chart to the desired location.
Exploring Details in a Pivot Chart
The chart displays all the information that is present in the pivot table. You can filter (explore details) either in the pivot table itself or in the chart. Here’s how:
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For this example, click on the arrow to the right of the filter field (years) to explore the details of a specific year.
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Click on the value you want (2021).
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Click “OK”.
The data in both the pivot chart and the pivot table are filtered to display only the year you have chosen.
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Changing the Chart Type
If you’re not satisfied with the initial chart type you created, you can easily change it. Here’s how:
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Click on your chart, then in the ribbon, go to “Design” and select “Change Chart Type”.
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Choose from the available chart types, then click “OK”.
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Check that the modified chart meets your expectations, otherwise go back to step 1 to try something else.
Printing a Pivot Chart
If you want to print only the pivot chart, without including the pivot table itself, simply click on the chart, then in the ribbon, go to “File” and select “Print”.
If you want to print the spreadsheet that displays both the pivot table and the chart (and any other content, if applicable), click outside the chart so that a cell in the spreadsheet is selected. Then, in the ribbon, go to “File” and select “Print”.
Tip: Try using shortcuts when working with pivot tables, as they will save you time and make your work more efficient.
Create a Pivot Chart in Google Sheets
Once you’ve created a pivot table in Google Sheets, you can insert a chart based on the table data. Here’s how:
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Click on your pivot table, then in the menu, go to “Insert” and select “Chart”.
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This will automatically create a chart for you.
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Right-click on the chart, then click on “Chart Style”.
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Click on the “Setup” tab and choose from the available chart types in the drop-down menu.
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To modify the data range (e.g., if you don’t want to include the total row of the pivot table), right-click on the chart again, then click on “Data Range”.
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Adjust the data range as needed. (Here, the range is modified to exclude row 11.)
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Your chart is adjusted to display the new style and range. Check that it meets your expectations, otherwise go back to step 3 to try something else.
Now that you know how to create a pivot chart in Excel and Google Sheets, you can easily visualize your data and gain valuable insights. Don’t forget to explore the different customization options to create charts that perfectly match your needs.
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