Pivot Table questions

I have several questions about a pivot table I am constructing.

1. Is there a way to have a column reference a cell with data instead of
using the drop downs? example - first column in table is part number,
instead of using the drop down to search for parts is it possible to
reference cell A1 where a part number would be typed by the user.

2. Is there a way to lock a table so the columns can not be added or removed?

3. I do not have anything in the data items or column fields sections, is
there a way to remove these sections?

Thanks

1) Only if you want to get into coding the Worksheet_Change event to set
the pivot table field to your cell value.

2) No. That would sort of defeat the purpose of a pivot table. When setting
Worksheet Protection, there is an option to allow user's to "Use Pivot Table
Reports" but AFAIK, that is an all-or-nothing setting. It would prevent the
addition of fields to an existing report, but it would also prevent use of
any drop downs, etc.

3) Not that i know of.

From questions 2 & 3 (especially #3: not having data in Column or Data
areas), it sounds like a pivot table *might* not be your best solution.
Would an auto-filter work for what you are trying to do? Or
Data>Filter>AdvancedFilter: CopyToAnotherLocation & UniqueRecordsOnly?

HTH,
--
George Nicholson

Remove 'Junk' from return address.


"Dave" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>I have several questions about a pivot table I am constructing.
>
> 1. Is there a way to have a column reference a cell with data instead of
> using the drop downs? example - first column in table is part number,
> instead of using the drop down to search for parts is it possible to
> reference cell A1 where a part number would be typed by the user.
>
> 2. Is there a way to lock a table so the columns can not be added or
> removed?
>
> 3. I do not have anything in the data items or column fields sections, is
> there a way to remove these sections?
>
> Thanks
>
>
>

In question 3, you say that your pivot table doesn't have data or column
fields, but your first two questions refer to data and columns.

Maybe you could describe what's in the pivot table, and what you're
trying to achieve, so someone could offer specific advice.

However, there's information here on enabling or disabling pivot table
features, by using programming:

http://www.contextures.com/xlPivot12.html

Dave wrote:
> I have several questions about a pivot table I am constructing.
>
> 1. Is there a way to have a column reference a cell with data instead of
> using the drop downs? example - first column in table is part number,
> instead of using the drop down to search for parts is it possible to
> reference cell A1 where a part number would be typed by the user.
>
> 2. Is there a way to lock a table so the columns can not be added or removed?
>
> 3. I do not have anything in the data items or column fields sections, is
> there a way to remove these sections?

--
Debra Dalgleish
Excel FAQ, Tips & Book List
http://www.contextures.com/tiptech.html