Please Note: This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Excel versions: 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003. If you are using a later version (Excel 2007 or later), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for later versions of Excel, click here: Refreshing PivotTable Data.

Refreshing PivotTable Data

Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated March 3, 2021)
This tip applies to Excel 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003


Excel PivotTables provide a powerful tool you can use to analyze your data, as you have learned in other ExcelTips. Whenever you change the information in your source data list, you will need to update the PivotTable. There is no need to recreate the table, instead you simply select a cell in the PivotTable and then select Refresh Data from the Data menu, or click on the Refresh Data tool on the PivotTable toolbar.

Updating changes is simple enough, but there is probably an additional step you will want to take if you have added records to your data table. If you have added information at the end of the list, either manually or using a data form, you will want to redefine the data range used to create the PivotTable. To do this, select a cell in the PivotTable and invoke the PivotTable and PivotChart Wizard. When it is displayed, navigate through the steps back to Step 2. (This is the step that allows you to specify the cell range to use for the PivotTable.) Make sure the cell range reflects accurately the range you want included in the PivotTable.

You should note that if you are adding rows in the middle of the PivotTable's data range, or if you delete rows, you do not need to be concerned about the cell range reflected in the PivotTable Wizard. Excel will make sure it is adjusted correctly. (You only need to be concerned when you add rows or columns to the end of the cell range.)

ExcelTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Excel training. This tip (2471) applies to Microsoft Excel 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003. You can find a version of this tip for the ribbon interface of Excel (Excel 2007 and later) here: Refreshing PivotTable Data.

Author Bio

Allen Wyatt

With more than 50 non-fiction books and numerous magazine articles to his credit, Allen Wyatt is an internationally recognized author. He is president of Sharon Parq Associates, a computer and publishing services company. ...

MORE FROM ALLEN

Changing Text Case

Word provides a built-in shortcut to change the case of a text selection. Understanding how that shortcut works (and the ...

Discover More

Understanding Computer Names

Every Windows computer on your network has a name. This name typically provides some identifying information about the ...

Discover More

Word Marks Mixed Case Acronyms as Incorrect

Many acronyms (such as DoD) are considered correct when they used mixed uppercase and lowercase. Word may not seem them ...

Discover More

Professional Development Guidance! Four world-class developers offer start-to-finish guidance for building powerful, robust, and secure applications with Excel. The authors show how to consistently make the right design decisions and make the most of Excel's powerful features. Check out Professional Excel Development today!

More ExcelTips (menu)

Text Truncated in PivotTable

When you create a PivotTable based on data that contains lots of text, you may be surprised to find that your text is ...

Discover More

Pointing PivotTables to Different Data

Changing the data source PivotTables go to can be a bit tricky. This tip explains what can happen when you re-point your ...

Discover More

Conditional Formatting in PivotTables

Conditional formatting is very powerful, and you can use it to dynamically adjust how your data looks. Excel allows you ...

Discover More
Subscribe

FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in ExcelTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."

View most recent newsletter.

Comments

If you would like to add an image to your comment (not an avatar, but an image to help in making the point of your comment), include the characters [{fig}] (all 7 characters, in the sequence shown) in your comment text. You’ll be prompted to upload your image when you submit the comment. Maximum image size is 6Mpixels. Images larger than 600px wide or 1000px tall will be reduced. Up to three images may be included in a comment. All images are subject to review. Commenting privileges may be curtailed if inappropriate images are posted.

What is two more than 4?

There are currently no comments for this tip. (Be the first to leave your comment—just use the simple form above!)


This Site

Got a version of Excel that uses the menu interface (Excel 97, Excel 2000, Excel 2002, or Excel 2003)? This site is for you! If you use a later version of Excel, visit our ExcelTips site focusing on the ribbon interface.

Newest Tips
Subscribe

FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in ExcelTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."

(Your e-mail address is not shared with anyone, ever.)

View the most recent newsletter.