If you are a frequent Excel user, you already know that the pivot table is one of Excel’s most functional features. It allows you to use data according to your needs.
However, pivot tables strain an Excel workbook’s performance, especially if the data set is enormous.
This is why knowing how to delete a pivot table in Excel is important. Interestingly, deleting a pivot table from an Excel sheet is simple, but most users struggle to do so.
Keep reading for a more detailed explanation of how to delete a pivot table in Excel.
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About Pivot Table
A pivot table is a statistical tool that summarizes and reorganizes selected columns and rows of data in a spreadsheet table to obtain the desired report.
However, you must note that the tool doesn’t change the table or database. It only rotates the data so you can see it from different perspectives.
Pivot tables are especially useful for large amounts of data that would be time-consuming to calculate manually.
An example is when a store manager reviews the sales of a particular item over six months; he must sift through many pages of relevant and irrelevant data.
However, a pivot table simplifies this process by automatically counting, summarizing, and sorting data.
The summary data can create a report tailored to item activity within a six-month parameter, reducing data output and table columns and rows.
This process can be used to fulfill various data requirements.
Some data processing functions that a pivot table can perform include identifying sums, averages, ranges, or outliers.
The spreadsheet then organizes this information into a simple, meaningful layout highlighting core values.
How to Delete a Pivot Table in Excel
- Select a cell in the pivot table
- Click the PivotTable Tools Analysis or Options tab on the ribbon.
- In the Actions group, click Select. A drop-down menu will appear.
- Click Entire PivotTable.
- Press Delete.
Additionally, the following may also be helpful during your work
How to Delete a Pivot Table and Converting Its Data to Values
Here is how to delete the pivot table and convert its data to values:
- Select a cell in the pivot table.
- Click the PivotTable Tools Analysis or Options tab on the ribbon.
- In the Actions group, click Select. A drop-down menu will appear.
- Choose the Entire Pivot Table.
- Right-click on any cell in the selected pivot table.
- Click Copy.
- Click the Home tab on the ribbon.
- In the Clipboard group, click Paste. A drop-down menu will appear.
- Click the Insert Values button. The pivot table should be removed and replaced with values.
How to Delete Pivot Table Filters, Labels, Values, and Formatting
You can also delete the filters, labels, values, and formatting.
- Select a cell in the pivot table.
- Next, click the PivotTable Tools Analysis or Options tab on the ribbon.
- In the Actions group, click Clear. A drop-down menu will appear.
- Click the Clear All button.
- Remove fields in the Pivot Table.
- Right-click and tap on Refresh to refresh the pivot table.
How to Delete a Pivot Table in Excel on Windows
To do this, select the entire table (click and drag the mouse to select all the cells in the table) and press the Delete key on your keyboard.
If it’s not obvious where the pivot table starts or ends, or difficult to select cells using the mouse and keyboard, there’s an easy way to select the entire pivot table:
- First, tap any cell in the pivot table.
- At the top of the window on your screen, click PivotTable Analysis.
- In the Actions section, click Select, and then click Entire PivotTable.
- Now press Delete to remove it from the table.
Conclusion
Pivot tables are great for organizing data. However, sometimes you just want to do away with them.
If you frequently use Excel, knowing how to delete a pivot table in Excel is a must. Fortunately, this article has outlined all the steps needed to delete a pivot table.
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