Home Archives for Excel Pivot Tables
July 10, 2011 Leave a Comment

My Two Most Popular Excel Tutorials on YouTube

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YouTube - DannyRocksExcels

Three years ago – in 2008 – I started to create Excel Video Tutorials, both for this website and, also, for my YouTube Channel – DannyRocksExcels.

Looking back, I am amazed to see that two of my earliest postings have been viewed over 50,000 times on YouTube!

Most Viewed Excel Videos  on YouTube

  1. The Basics of Excel 2003 – Entering Data – has been viewed 64,725 times to date! Click on this link to watch it on YouTube
  2. Introduction to Pivot Tables in Excel 2003 – has been viewed 50,477 times to date! – Click here to watch this video on my YouTube Channel

Improved Production Values Since 2008

While I may sometimes “cringe” at my production value choices from 2008, I must say that the content of each of these two viewo tutorials holds up nicely!

What I Offer Today!

I have come a long way since 2008 – both in my knowledge of Excel and How to present the Excel Training Options that you can benefit from.

Re: Excel Pivot Tables – Paradoxically, Pivot Tables are BOTH the most powerful tool in Excel AND also, one of the easiest tools to use to analyze and present the information hidden inside your data!

Here is a link to the Excel Video Tutorial Recordings that you can download for only $9.95 USD. I have customized each recording for Excel 2003, Excel 2007 and Excel 2010!

Get my DVD-ROM – “The 50 Best Tips for Excel 2007” for only $29.97!

 

Let me know what you think!

Danny Rocks

The Company Rocks

 

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Filed Under: Excel Basics, Excel Training, Pivot Tables, WebEx Recordings & Webinars, YouTube Videos by Danny Rocks Tagged: , , , ,
July 9, 2011 Leave a Comment

Three and a Half Ways to Average Excel Data Using Criteria

AverageIf Function in Excel

AverageIf Function in Excel

It is easy to use Excel’s AVERAGE Function to get the average for an entire range of data. But, what if you are asked to produce a report that shows the average for select groups of records – for example, average test results for the female students only; or for the male students only? What approach do you take? What Functions do you use to produce this report?

Three and a Half Ways to Produce this Report

  • SUBTOTALS – Easy to use. Remember to sort your data first using the field that you want to subtotal.
  • AVERAGEIF Function – Very easy to use. Only works in Excel 2007 and Excel 2010.
  • DAVERAGE Function – Will work in any version of Excel. Easy to add or change the Criteria.
  • PIVOT TABLE – Very easy to create. No need to write a formula. Create report with @ 6 mouse clicks!

My Preferred Approach – Create a Pivot Table Report

While Pivot Tables are the most powerful tool in Excel, they are also one of the easiest tools to use in Excel! Why?

  • Because you can create a Pivot Table Report without writing a single formula!
  • You can create this Pivot Table Report with about six clicks of the mouse.
  • You cannot possibly harm your underlying data when you create Pivot Tables!

Download a One Hour- Plus / In-depth Video Tutorial on Pivot Tables – for $9.95

I have created a series of Excel Video Tutorials that you can download for $9.95 US Dollars each. Here is a link to my informational page that gives you the details.

  • Are you Using Excel 2003? – I created a video recording for Pivot Tables using Excel 2003 that you can download for $9.95!
  • Are you Using Excel 2007? – I created a video recording for Pivot Tables using Excel 2007 that you can download for $9.95!
  • Are you Using Excel 2010? – I created a video recording for Pivot Tables using Excel 2010 that you can download for $9.95!

As with all of my products, I guarantee that you will be 100% Satisfied or I will refund your purchase price – no questions asked!

My Extended length Excel Training Video Recordings are hosted at: http://thecompanyrocks.webex.com – I use the secure shopping cart at WebEx by Cisco Systems, so you can be sure that your personal information is safe and secure.

Watch Video in High Definition on YouTube

Follow this link to watch this video tutorial in High Definition mode on my YouTube Channel – DannyRocks Excels

Get My DVD-ROM, “The 50 Best Tips for Excel 2007” for only $29.97

Three and a Half Ways to Average Excel Data with Criteria [ 9:24 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (1375)
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Filed Under: Excel Functions, Excel Training, Pivot Tables, Podcast Tips & Timesavers, Subtotals and Outlines in Excel, WebEx by Cisco, WebEx Recordings & Webinars Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , ,
June 28, 2011 2 Comments

How to Embed an Interactive Excel Workbook from a Sky Drive in Windows Office Live!

For the past two or three months, I have been uploading the Excel Workbooks that I use during my video tutorials to my Sky Drive at Windows Office Live! – www.office.live.com Just this past week, I learned that I can also “embed” those stored files here – in a blog post – on my website! So, here is my first attempt to share an “interactive Excel Workbook” with you.

Embedded Excel Workbook

This Excel worksheet is one of the basic data sets that I use when I demonstrate how to create Excel Pivot Tables. Scroll horizontally or vertically to see the Pivot Table. Notice that you can use the drop-down filters in the Pivot Table!

Click the Icon in the lower right corner of the Excel WebApps frame and you will be taken to my Sky Drive online where you can view or manipulate the worksheet in Full Screen More. Or, you can choose to download this file to your computer to work on it with the full range of Excel commands.

Download Excel Video Tutorial Recordings for $9.95

If you want to learn more about Pivot Tables, click on this link to gather information on my new series of Extended Length (one hour +) Excel Video Tutorials. You can download these videos to your computer for only US $9.95 from my WebEx by Cisco site – http://thecompanyrocks.webex.com – I store all of the Excel Workbooks that I use in the lessons on my Sky Drive online!

Watch This Video Tutorial in High Definition on YouTube

Follow this link to watch my step-by-step instructions to accomplish this task – in High Definition – on my YouTube Channel, DannyRocksExcels.

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Filed Under: Download Files from Video Lessons, Excel Training, Interactive Webpages, Pivot Tables, WebEx Recordings & Webinars, YouTube Videos by Danny Rocks Tagged: , , , , , ,
June 27, 2011 Leave a Comment

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

How a Single Blank Cell Affects an Excel Pivot Table Report [ 7:21 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (1129)
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May 24, 2011 Leave a Comment

My Extended Length Pivot Tables Video Recordings Available for Excel 2003, 2007 and Excel 2010

On my WebEx site – http://thecompanyrocks.webex.com – I have posted three, one-hour-plus video recordings to help you to learn how to create and customize Excel Pivot Tables:

Download “Free of Charge” Resources for Each Recording

Click on the hyperlinks above to go to a special landing page for each Excel version. From the landing page, you will find links to download the resources that accompany each version:

  • The Excel Workbook – in each version of Excel (2003, 2007, 2010) that I use during the video recording.
  • The Step-by-Step Instructional Manual that I created for each Excel version of my recordings.
    • Available as an Adobe Acrobat PDF or as a Word Document

Very Attractive Pricing for Recordings

I have decided to price each of these recordings – which you can download to your computer – at US$9.95

  • Imagine what you would have to pay to hire a trainer – per hour –  to teach you these Pivot Table lessons!
  • Imagine how many pages in a book you would have to wade through to read about Pivot Tables!
  • Now, imagine being able to:
    • Watch a video demonstration of the steps to take to create or customize a Pivot Table.
    • Read – and make notes in – a written document that follows the steps that I demonstrate.
    • Practice the techniqes that I demonstrate on the video with the actual Excel worksheets that I use.
    • Skip back and forth to the chapter that you want to watch or review on the video recording.
    • Download the recording for the exact version of Excel that you are using.
    • Get all of this for only US$9.95

What You Will Learn on My Video Recordings

I have taken care to organize each of these topics “by chapter” – with starting points and ending points – on the recordings:

  • Create a Pivot Table in the Excel version that you are using.
    • Spotlight the uniqe features of each version
  • Filter and Sort the Fields in your Pivot Table
  • Change the Data Source & Refresh your Pivot Table
  • Use Multiple Functions and Views to Calculate your Pivot Table
  • Create a Calculated (“virtual”) Field in your Pivot Table
  • Group Fields – e.g. turn daily transactions into a Month, Quarter, Year Pivot Table Report
  • Create and Filter Pivot Charts
Download WebEx Recording

Download WebEx Recording

Download My Recordings at WebEx

  • Go to http://thecompanyrocks.webex.com and on the left side of the screen click on “Attend a Session – Recorded Sessions” to find the recording that you wish to download.
  • Register and enter your payment information – this is a secure shopping site.
  • Download the recording – also download the WebEx Recording Player so that you can play the ARF recording.
    • I recommend that you “Save” your recording on the download page. Play it from your directory of choice after it has downloaded
    • From the ARF Player for the WebEx Recording, you can convert the recording to another video format (MP4, AVI, WMV or SWF)

I welcome your feedback. Send me your questions, comments and suggestions for future recordings.

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Filed Under: Excel Training, MS Excel Training, Pivot Tables, Video Training Courses, WebEx by Cisco, WebEx Recordings & Webinars Tagged: , , , , , , , , ,
May 22, 2011 2 Comments

Still Using Excel 2003? Download My Video Tutorial Pivot Tables 2003 to Summarize, Analyze and Present Data

Video Tutorial for Excel 2003 Pivot Tables

Excel 2003 PivotTables Video

By popular demand, I have created an “Extended Length” ( 69 minutes) video tutorial in Excel 2003 that you can download – for US$9.95  – “Create Pivot Tables in Excel 2003 toe Summarize, Analyze and Present the Information in Your Data.”

Quite a few of my customers and viewers are still using Excel 2003. Are you one of them? If so, this is welcome news for you! If you can even find a video tutorial for Excel 2003, chances are it was created “ages ago.” I incorporate current video technology to view online or to download  69 minute video tutorial that will teach you everything that you need to know to create, modify and present a PivotTable or PivotChart Report using Excel 2003.

What You Will Learn from this Video Recording

Here are the topics that I cover – each as an individual chapter on the recording:

  • Creating a PivotTable in Excel 2003
  • Filtering and Sorting Fields in an Excel 2003 Pivot Table
  • Refreshing your PivotTable; Changing the Source Data for your Excel 2003 PivotTable
  • Changing the Functions and Type of Calculations in your Excel 2003 PivotTable
  • Creating a Calculated Field in an Excel 2003 PivotTable
  • Grouping an Excel 2003 PivotTable Field (e.g. Month, Quarter, Year from a series of Daily Transactional Data)
  • Creating and Modifying and Excel 2003 PivotChart

Skip to Individual Chapters on the Video Recording

If you have ever purchased a recording of a “live” Excel Webinar, you know that one frustration is: “How do I get to the specific part of the recording that I want to learn or repeat?”

The last thing that I want you to worry about is “getting stuck” with watching my video recording from start to finish! NO! NO! NO!

That is why I recorded this video webinar with you in mind – I created an easy to follow Table of Contents on the recording so tht you can skip to or repeat an indivual chapter or starting point!

I am confident that you will enjoy this feature!

How to Get Started

  1. Go to http://thecompanyrocks.webex.com and click on “Recorded Sessions” to see the list of all of my Recorded Video Lessons on WebEx by Cisco.
  2. Click on this link to open the Video Recording, “Excel 2003 Pivot Tables to Summarize and Analyze Data”
  3. Register for this recording (First Name, Last Name and email address) so that I can assist you quickly if you need help with downloading the recording or accessing the support materials.
  4. Enter your payment information US$9.95 using PayPal or a Credit Card – This is a SECURE WEBSITE.
  5. Download this video recording. I recommend that you: 
    1. Download the WebEx by Cisco ARF Recorder/ Player. Once you have opend the Video Recording, you can convert it to a different format (e.g. WMV (Windows Media), SWF (Flash Format) or MPEG4 (MP4 Format)
    2. Save the File to a Folder on your hard disk drive.
  6. Watch the video recording.

Download the Support Material for this Video Recording

Here is a link to the web page that I created for this video recording. Follow the hyperlinks to view online or download the Excel Workbook that I used in this recording as well as the Step-by-Step Instructional Manual that accompanies this recording.

Give Me Your Feedback

As I develop these “Extended Length” video recordings, I seek your feedback. Tell me what you liked. Tell me what you did not like – any why. Send me your suggestions for future topics for my video tutorial recordings.

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Filed Under: Excel 2003 Video Lessons, Excel Training, Pivot Tables, WebEx by Cisco, WebEx Recordings & Webinars Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
May 18, 2011 Leave a Comment

Download My 75 Minute Video Tutorial on Excel 2007 Pivot Tables

Topics Covered

Table of Contents for Recording

I have just recorded and published a 75 Minute Video Tutorial titled, “How to Create and Modify a Pivot Table in Excel 2007 to Summarize, Analyze and Present the Information in your Data Set.”

It is published on my WebEx by Cisco site: http://thecompanyrocks.webex.com Follow this link to go directly to this recording.

There is a charge for this recording – US$9.95 In addition to the recording you get:

  • A Step-by-step instructional manual
  • Access to the Excel workbook files that I used for this recording

Not to brag , but I think that this video tutorial is excellent! I spent many hours planning out the exercises, working through the timing of each chapter of the video and practicing my delivery. I am happy with the result. And, more important, I think that you will also be satisfied with what you will learn from this recording!

What You Will Learn on My Recording

My goal is to give you a comprehensive understanding of Excel 2007 Pivot Tables. But to give you the opportunity to learn this in “bite-size chunks” that can replay when necessary. I created realistic exercises to illustrate each topic.  Also notice that I have created a Table of Contents for the recording so that you can go to a specific chapter on the recording. You can stop and start at any point.

How to Download this Recording

  1. Go to http://thecompanyrocks.webex.com or click on this link to go to the main menu.
  2. Click on “Recorded Sessions.”
  3. Click the link for the recording, “Excel 2007 Pivot Tables to Summarize Data.”
  4. Register for this session (First Name, Last Name and email address).
  5. Enter payment information (PayPal or Credit Card). This is a secure site!
  6. Follow the instructions to Download my recording.
  7. Recommended – you can also download the ARF Recorder to view the recording.
  8. At this point you can decide to convert the recording to a different format. E.g. WMV (Windows Media Player), SWF (Flash) or MP4 (MPEG4)
  9. At the end of the recording, you are taken to a web page with links to download the Instructional Manual and to download the Excel Workbook that I used during this recoring.

Give Me Your Feedback

I welcome your comments and suggestions for future video tutorial recordings. You can add your comments below or send them to me via email.

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Filed Under: Excel Training, Pivot Tables, WebEx by Cisco, WebEx Recordings & Webinars Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , ,
May 13, 2011 5 Comments

How to Apply Conditional Formatting to a Pivot Table in Excel

A Pivot Table is a great way for you to summarize and present the information contained in your data set. When you apply conditional formatting to your Pivot Table, you can “visually” spot important trends or anomolies in your data.

Improvements to Conditional Formatting

Conditional Formatting in Pivot Table

Condition Formatting for Above Average

Beginning with Excel 2007, Conditional Formatting has been dramatically improved. In addtion to pre-built formula rules, you can also apply Data Visualizations (Icon Sets, Data Bars and Color Scales).

Conditional Formatting for Above Average

In this lesson, I apply the pre-built “Above Average” rule. I want Excel to dynamically format the summary values that answer, “TRUE” to this question: “Is this value “Above the Average” in the range of cells selected?

This is the key to understanding how Conditional Formatting works. Special Formatting is applied only when the answer to your CONDITION (a rule or a formula) is TRUE.

Dynamically Filter Conditional Formatting

In this lesson, I use the Report Filter zone in my Pivot Table to see how conditions change when I change the time period in my report. Values that meet the Condition, “Above the Average,” receive the formatting that I established in my rule. Try this on your Pivot Table. It is a wonderful tool to use in an Excel Dashboard.

View This Video Tutorial in High Definition

Follow this link to watch this lesson in High Definition on my YouTube Channel, DannyRocksExcels.

My Extended Length Pivot Table Video Tutorials

I offer “free of charge,” a 24 minute in-depth video tutorial for creating your first Pivot Table in Excel. Follow this link to learn how to view it online or to download it to your computer.

Vist My New Online Shopping Site

My new, secure online shopping website – http://shop.thecompanyrocks.com/ – is now open. I invite you to visit and learn more about the new products that I have added.

How to Apply Conditional Formatting to a Pivot Table [ 6:01 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (1642)
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Filed Under: Conditional Formatting, Excel Training, Pivot Tables, Podcast Tips & Timesavers Tagged: , , ,
May 11, 2011 Leave a Comment

How to Create an Interactive Pivot Chart in Excel

While I have created many Excel Video Tutorials demonstrating the power of interactive Pivot Tables during the past four years, I have NEVER created a video lesson focused on creating interactive Pivot Charts in Excel – until now!

Interactive Pivot Table Chart

Interactive Pivot Table Chart

Pivot Charts in Excel 2007

In this lesson, I show you how to create a Pivot Chart in Excel 2007. Starting with Excel 2007, there are several major changes:

  • By default, Pivot Charts are embedded on the same worksheet as the Pivot Table Report that is linked to the chart.
  • A new, PivotTable Chart Filter Dialog box is available – this works “in tandem” with the filters available in the PivotTable Field List” Dialog box.
  • It is very easy to “Move” a Pivot Chart to its own worksheet tab – or vice versa – to move the Pivot Chart to an existing worksheet.

 Pivot Charts and Pivot Table Reports are Connected

A Pivot Chart MUST be connected to a Pivot Table Report. Any changes that you make to the chart are reflected in the report and vice versa. If you filter the Pivot Table Report, the filter is automatically applied to the Pivot Chart. This is an important concept to understand. This is the reason why it is so easy to make BOTH Pivot Table Reports and Pivot Charts “interactive!”

Explore My Index of Free Excel Video Lessons

I was surprised to discover that I had not yet created a video tutorial for Excel Pivot Charts when I looked at my list of “free” Excel Video Lessons. This became the impetus for creating this lesson. I invite you to explore all of my free Excel Video Tutorials. Click on this link to go to my Index of Excel Video Lessons. I have organized the free video lessons by topic. Simply click on the title of any lesson and you will arrive at the posting and the video for that lesson.

Download Excel File for This Lesson

View this Lesson in High Definition

I invite you to view this Excel Video Tutorial in High Definition, Full-screen Mode on my YouTube Channel – DannyRocksExcel

Watch Video Now

 

Feedback Welcome

I always welcome your feedback. Let me know what you think about this – or any other – video lesson. Add your comments below!

Extended Length Video Training Resource for Pivot Tables

I have created 90-minutes video training resources for Pivot Tables. Follow this link to learn more about my “Master Excel in Minutes” series.

How to Create an Interactive Pivot Chart in Excel [ 9:12 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (1587)
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Filed Under: Download Files from Video Lessons, Excel Training, Most Viewed Excel Videos, Pivot Tables, Podcast Tips & Timesavers, YouTube Videos by Danny Rocks Tagged: , , , , ,
May 9, 2011 2 Comments

How to Convert a Pivot Table to a Standard List

Watch this video tutorial in High Definition on YouTube

A viewer aksed for my help. She has a boss and a few customers who:

  1. Do not know how to create or use Pivot Tables
  2. Have no desire to learn how to create and use Pivot Tables
Convert Pivot Table to Standard List

Convert Pivot Table to List

Nevertheless, in this example, she is being asked to create a summary report – by Year and by Quarter – from @ 5,000 daily transaction records. The fastest way to create this report is with a Pivot Table. Now, to meet the demands of her boss and clients, she needs to convert this Pivot Table into a standard list that can be Filtered and Subtotaled.

Summarize by Year and Quarter

To create this Pivot Table report:

  • Add the “Date” field to the grid and then select a single date.
  • Group the Date field by Month, Quarter and Year.
  • Add and arrange the Customer and Invoice fields to the Pivot Table Grid.

Convert Pivot Table to Standard List

  1. Remove both the Subtotals and Grand Totals from the Pivot Table Report.
  2. In Excel 2007 & 2010, ensure that you are using either the Outline or Tabular report layouts – NOT the new “default” Compact layout.
  3. Also in Excel 2007 & 2010, remove the Field Headers and the + / – Symbols.
  4. Now, select the entire Pivot talbe (use Ctrl + A) and copy it to the clipboard.
  5. Use Paste Special Values to paste the Pivot Table Results.

Filling the Blank Cells in the List

As you can see, whenever you have “nested rows” in a Pivot Table you get a nice, clean report. However, in order to Filter and Subtotal this new list, you will need to “fill in the blank cells.”

  1. Select all of the values and all of the blanks in Column A.
  2. Use Ctrl + G (or F5) to open the Go To Dialog Box and choose Special.
  3. From the Go To Special choices choose “Blanks.”
  4. With all of the Blank Cells selected use this formula: = ↑
  5. Do NOT press Enter. Rather, press Ctrl + Enter and all of the Blank Cells are now filled in with the Customer Names!
  6. Finally use Copy, Paste Special, Values to complete this process.

Watch This Video on My YouTube Channel – DannyRocksExcels

Since this video tutorial is a little longer than usual, I have decided to post it as a video – in High Definition – on my YouTube Channel. Click here to view it or copy and paste this link into your browser:

Link to YouTube Video:   http://youtu.be/IwReVDJ7BAI?hd=1

Download This Excel Workbook

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Filed Under: Excel Formulas, Excel Training, Pivot Tables, YouTube Videos by Danny Rocks Tagged: , , , , , , , , ,
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