How a Single Blank Cell Affects an Excel Pivot Table Report

As you will see in this Excel Video Tutorial, having a single blank cell in a data set will greatly affect how Excel Functions and Pivot Tables are designed and calculated.

Single Blank Cell in Data

Single Blank Cell in Data

Imagine, how a single blank cell, in a field of 848 records, can change the way your Pivot Table views the data type (text vs. the expected numeric data type) and subtotal function (Count vs. the expected SUM function).

Seeing is believing!

Preventing a Blank Cell from “Creeping into” your data set

Use the Keyboard Shortcut Ctrl + Down Directional Arrow to go to the last cell that contains data in a column. This is a great way to isolate “stray” blank cells that will have a great impact on your Pivot Tables and other calculations in Excel.

Also, in Excel 2007 and Excel 2010, look for where a “numeric” field is placed by default. A single blank cell will cause an (intended) numeric field to be placed in the Row (text) labels area. Even dragging this field into the VALUES Drop zone does not solve the problem because the COUNT Function will be used to Subtotal this field. This is a “disaster waiting to happen!”

Introducing My Extended Length Excel Video Recordings

This is my opportunity to introduce you to my new, extended-length (one-hour +) Excel Video Tutorials that you can download for only US $9.95!

Here is the link that gives you more information about this exciting new service:

http://www.thecompanyrocks.com/pivot-table-tutorial-videos-to-download-practice-files-instructional-manual-included/

I offer you multiple options:

Let me know what you think!

Let me know which topics you would like me to record for you to download.

Send me an email with your comments and suggestions: danny@thecompanyrocks.com

Watch This Video in High Definition

Follow this link to view this Excel Tutorial in High Definition on my YouTube Channel – DannyRocksExcels

Share and Enjoy:
  • Add to favorites
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Technorati
  • Print
  • email
  • Digg
  • StumbleUpon
  • del.icio.us
  • Yahoo! Buzz
  • Google Bookmarks
  • Orkut
  • SphereIt
  • Sphinn

Speak Your Mind

*