HELP - Sorting a Pivot Table

[Dendrinos2]

I dont know why this is so hard for me but I have struggled with this issue for years and now really need it. Basically all I want to do is simply sort a pivot table based on the data in column B (Num). Simple right? I can sort on column A (Alph) but I cannot get it to sort on column B (Num) largest to smallest.

If someone could show me how to sort on Num from largest to smallest I would forever be in your debt. Please dont tell me just to sort reverse alphabetically on Column A (Alph) as this is dummy data and wont work with my actual data source.

Sorting the pivot table data not the reference data in case it is confusing.

Thanks!!

[Richard Buttrey]

Hi,

Put your 'Num' field in the Values area not the Rows area of the Pivot Table then use the standard sort functionality.

[etaf]

if you click on num - you have the option to sort - largest>smallest or smallest to largest

[Dendrinos2]

Thanks for the quick response. This works but may not work with my data set as the pivot I am running gets more complex then simply this. Is there a way to sort without moving data to the values area?

[Dendrinos2]

etaf, you are given the option to sort but it does not work...

[etaf]

seemed to have worked on your example - but you would normally have the data in the data section

[Richard Buttrey]

Thanks for the quick response. This works but may not work with my data set as the pivot I am running gets more complex then simply this. Is there a way to sort without moving data to the values area?

Hi,

What makes you think that putting the 'num' field in the Value area won't work? Have you tried it?
One of the beauties of Pivot Tables are that they are almost infinitely variable in their layout at the click and drag of the mouse.

Upload your workbook if you think there is something about it which won't allow the sort you want.

[romperstomper]

If you try and sort fields in the row area, then any sorting occurs only within each parent row field. So, in this example, Num would be sorted within each Alph group. That has to be the case or your pivot table groups could break. If you need Num to be the primary sort and you can't put it in the values area, you have to move it to the left of the Alph field.

[Dendrinos2]

The issue is I already had data in the value field and adding additional data to it created an additional row. "Romperstomper" thanks for explaining what was happening this makes a ton of sense. I ended up creating a dummy field and setting that in the row column first and sorting on that. It got the job done.


Thanks all for the suggestions