Simulating Pivot Tables In Numbers

While there is no pivot table function in Numbers, you can simulate the most common uses for pivot tables using formulas, filters and hiding columns. In this example we'll look at a table of sales numbers and see how you can sum the number of sales for each product listed. Initially you end up with the first row containing each product showing the total for every sale for that product. But you can filter the list to only show those rows. Then you can hide columns that present excess data to end up with similar results as you would with a pivot table.

Comments: 5 Responses to “Simulating Pivot Tables In Numbers”

    MJM
    7 years ago

    Fantastic work around and, as always, clearly instructed/demonstrated. You are awesome!

    Bruce John Bailey
    7 years ago

    Thanks Gary,
    Pivot table functionality is a great loss to numbers. Mac users have the right to feel cheated here. Excel, the undisputed best spreadsheet, after all, started on Apple.
    Is the assumption that apple users don't need advanced functionality?
    Your clever solution is of great help.
    I was really wondering why I moved to Mac, or for that matter from calculator, pencil and paper.

    7 years ago

    Bruce: Numbers may not have pivot tables, but then Excel doesn't have the multi-table spreadsheet functionality that Numbers has. There are strengths for each. And I don't see how Mac users are cheated here as Excel is available for both Mac and Windows. You have to pay Excel it on either. At least on Mac you et Numbers for free, which handles most of what people need without having to pay for Excel.

    Ted McLaughlin
    7 years ago

    It would be nice if you could create another table to summarize results with out having to use Filters and Hide columns.

    Rick Stern
    6 years ago

    Wonderful tutorial! Clear, easy to follow. I almost went back to excel until I found this. Thanks. Now, I need a tutorial on how to make a pie chart out of your example...
    Rick

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