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: Default Formatting for PivotTables.

Default Formatting for PivotTables

Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated May 18, 2019)
This tip applies to Excel 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003


James is frustrated when it comes to formatting PivotTables. He would like all PivotTables to start in the classic format with no subtotals and repeated row items with all values in accounting format with no currency sign and no characters after the decimal. Being able to set a default such as this would save James a huge amount of time. He wonders about the easiest way to set default formatting for PivotTables so that he can avoid going through the repetitive process of formatting each new PivotTable.

Unfortunately, there is no way to create a default format for your PivotTables that we've been able to discover. One thing you might try is to develop a macro that does the formatting for you—start by recording the process of formatting your PivotTable, and then adjust the macro so that it is more global and can apply to almost any PivotTable you create. (This process can be a bit intimidating, but it can be done.)

Another idea is to create a workbook with the PivotTable formatted as desired and then save that workbook as read-only. Then, when you need to do some work using that format of PivotTable, you can open the workbook, save it under a different name, and modify the data used to make up the PivotTable, as desired.

ExcelTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Excel training. This tip (11262) 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: Default Formatting for PivotTables.

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

Weird Actions for Arrow Keys and Enter

If your arrow keys and the Enter key aren't working as you expect them to, the problem could have any number of causes. ...

Discover More

Displaying the Control Panel

The Control Panel is (or has been) the heart and soul of controlling Windows. How you display the control panel, however, ...

Discover More

Strikethrough Shortcut Key

One common type of formatting is strikethrough, which is normally applied from the Font dialog box. There is no built-in ...

Discover More

Program Successfully in Excel! John Walkenbach's name is synonymous with excellence in deciphering complex technical topics. With this comprehensive guide, "Mr. Spreadsheet" shows how to maximize your Excel experience using professional spreadsheet application development tips from his own personal bookshelf. Check out Excel 2013 Power Programming with VBA today!

More ExcelTips (menu)

Formatting a PivotTable

You can format PivotTables using either manual formatting or automatic formatting. You need to be careful, however, as ...

Discover More

Rows in a PivotTable

PivotTables are used to analyze huge amounts of data. The number of rows used in a PivotTable depends on the type of ...

Discover More

Removing Subtotals from Many PivotTable Fields

Need to get rid of pesky subtotals from your PivotTables? It's easy to do by applying the macro highlighted in this tip.

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 1?

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.