Google Sheets Pivot Tables for Analysis Flashcards

What does the 'Repeat row labels' option accomplish in a pivot table with nested rows?

Answer: It fills the grouping label on every detail row instead of only the first

'Repeat row labels' shows the parent group value on each nested row, which is useful for exporting flat data.

A calculated field named Margin uses ='Profit'/'Revenue'. Why might it show errors for some rows?

Answer: Revenue could be zero, causing division by zero

Dividing by a Revenue value of zero produces a #DIV/0! error in the calculated field.

Which is the most reliable way to make a pivot table automatically include future rows of data?

Answer: Define the source using whole columns (e.g., A:D) or a named/auto-expanding range

Referencing entire columns (or a dynamic named range) lets the pivot table capture new rows automatically.

You want to compare this year's monthly sales side by side with last year's. What is a good pivot approach?

Answer: Put Month in Rows and Year in Columns with SUM of Sales

Month in Rows and Year in Columns creates a side-by-side year-over-year comparison of monthly sales.

When a pivot table's Values area shows numbers with too many decimals, how do you fix the display?

Answer: Apply number formatting to the pivot table's value cells

You can apply standard number formatting to the pivot table's value cells to control decimal display.

What is a key advantage of a pivot table over grouping data with SUMIFS formulas?

Answer: You can restructure the analysis by dragging fields without rewriting formulas

Pivot tables let you rearrange dimensions interactively by moving fields, without editing any formulas.

A pivot table filtered to 'Q4' still shows totals that seem too high. What is the most likely cause?

Answer: The filter is applied to the wrong field or grand totals include all data

Unexpectedly high totals usually mean the filter targeted the wrong field or you're reading an all-data grand total.