Data Pivoting IV — Task Pane User Interface

Data Pivoting IV — Task Pane User Interface

Introduction

In Part IV of this series on Excel 2003 data pivoting, we will look at the task pane user interface that guides you through the process of creating a PivotTable report. This is a separate and distinct interface from the PivotTable Wizard that we explored in Part I of this series.

Accessing the Task Pane

The task pane can be accessed in two ways:

1. From the Data menu, select PivotTable and PivotChart Report . In the Create PivotTable dialog box, click the Options button to display the task pane.
2. After creating a PivotTable, click the PivotTable Options button on the PivotTable toolbar.

Using the Task Pane

The task pane is divided into three sections:

1. Step 1: Select the data you want to analyze . This section allows you to select the data range that you want to use for your PivotTable report.
2. Step 2: Choose the fields you want to use . This section allows you to select the fields that you want to include in your PivotTable report. You can also specify the way that you want to group and summarize the data.
3. Step 3: Specify the layout and format . This section allows you to specify the layout and formatting of your PivotTable report.

Benefits of Using the Task Pane

The task pane provides several benefits over the PivotTable Wizard:

• It is more flexible, allowing you to create more complex PivotTable reports.
• It is more intuitive, making it easier to use for beginners.
• It is more efficient, allowing you to create PivotTable reports more quickly.

Conclusion

The task pane is a powerful tool that can help you create PivotTable reports quickly and easily. It is a valuable resource for both beginners and experienced users.