Rearranging PivotTable Fields

To pivot, or rearrange, a PivotTable, drag one or more field headings from one part of the PivotTable Field List window to another. For example, by using the mouse to change this configuration of the PivotTable Field List window:

to this one:

we can change the table from the form shown in Figure 22-3 to this:

Note 

If you don't see the PivotTable Field List window, select a cell in the PivotTable (it disappears when your selection is not within the table). If you still don't see it, click the Options tab under PivotTable Tools on the Ribbon, and then click Field List. This button is a handy way to toggle the field list in and out of view, letting you reduce distraction when you don't need to do any field rearrangement.

Inside Out-Pivot Your Tables the Excel 2003 Way If You Prefer

Earlier versions of Excel let you move fields around by dragging them directly on the table, instead of requiring you to work with the PivotTable Field List window. If you prefer that way of working, right-click any cell in the PivotTable, and click PivotTable Options. In the PivotTable Options dialog box, click the Display tab. Then select the Classic PivotTable Layout (Enables Dragging Of Fields In The Grid) check box. Note, however, that this option also changes the appearance of your table from the compact, outline-style presentation of Excel 2007 to the more space-consuming tabular style of earlier versions.

To rearrange fields within the same axis-for example to put Year before Quarter or Channel before Category in Figure 22-3, you can drag field headings from one place to another within the same area of the PivotTable Field List window. Often it's simpler to click the arrow to the right of the field heading you want to move. (For example, you might click the arrow to the right of Category in the Row Labels box.) The menu that appears includes easy-to-use positioning commands: