Pivot Table Help

Hi
I am new to my version of Excel and I am trying to get my head around using pivot tables to create dashboards...

So, I used to create loads of spreadsheets but have not done so for 5 years and lots has changed.

I am hoping to be able to ask some rather silly questions (you are allowed to laugh but please answer).

1. Are dashboards an actual function in Excel or just the name for a collection of tables and charts displaying main KPIs and possibly accompanied by either slicers or macros?
2. surely pivot table charts are nothing else than charts based on pivot tables, aren't they? So, 5 years ago when I was doing charts I used to create a pivot table and then just base a chart on it rather than go to pivot table chart. Surely that's just the same, just a new button?!?!?!
3. I am trying to create a pivot table from a set of data. I have a list of students and their exam results. I want to know what percentage of students achieved 50 marks or more in a subject. So effectively I would like a table with subjects as row headings and then a column heading '% of students gaining 50 marks or above'. I can easily do this with some formulas and creating the table manually however, can I create a table like this using pivot table function?????

Thanks in advance...

Hi and welcome
For your 3rd question
Attach a sample workbook (not a picture or pasted copy). Make sure there is just enough data to demonstrate your need. Include a BEFORE sheet and an AFTER sheet in the workbook if needed to show the process you're trying to complete or automate. Make sure your desired results are shown, mock them up manually if necessary.

Remember to desensitize the data.

Click on GO ADVANCED and then scroll down to Manage Attachments to open the upload window.

do you have any answers for questions 1 and 2 which don't require any samples?

1) No, dashboards are not a built in function. They are something you put together yourself. I'm not sure how Excel would be able to 'guess' what you want your dashboard to show/do for it to be an automated process.

2) A chart (non pivot) based on a pivot table wouldn't necessarily be as dynamic as a pivot chart is. So when the pivot table changes size the normal chart wouldn't necessarily adjust for that. Pivot Charts do. (I've still never used one on a dashboard though because I do not like pivots for that - too ugly)

And in response to the earlier part of your post, I don't think Excel has changed THAT much in the last 5 years. Which version were you using back then?

BSB