Google Sheets Pivot Tables for Analysis Flashcards

In a pivot table, which area determines the horizontal categories that spread across the top of the summary?

Answer: Columns

Fields placed in the Columns area create category headers spread horizontally across the top of the pivot table.

What happens to a pivot table when you add a new row to the underlying source data range that was defined with a fixed range like A1:D50?

Answer: The new row is not included until you edit the data range

A fixed range does not grow automatically, so new rows outside A1:D50 are excluded until the data range is updated.

Which summarize-by function should you choose in the Values area to display the number of entries rather than their total?

Answer: COUNTA

COUNTA counts the number of non-empty entries, which shows how many records exist per category.

You want a pivot table to show only sales from the 'West' region without altering the source data. Where should you place the Region field?

Answer: Filters

The Filters area lets you restrict the whole pivot table to selected values like 'West' without changing source data.

After creating a pivot table, the source data changes. What must you do to reflect the updates?

Answer: Nothing — pivot tables refresh automatically when source data changes

Google Sheets pivot tables update automatically whenever the referenced source data changes.

Which feature lets you show each value as a percentage of the grand total inside a pivot table?

Answer: The 'Show as' option set to % of grand total

The 'Show as' setting in the Values area can display figures as a percentage of the grand total.

What is the effect of adding two fields to the Rows area of a pivot table?

Answer: It creates a nested, grouped hierarchy of the first field then the second

Multiple row fields create a nested hierarchy, grouping the second field within each value of the first.