Question

Pivote Table - Average, SubTotals, and Percentage Issues.

Asked by: ccarns

This issue can be seen quickly by downloading a sample excel file I put together for the question (no macros)
Full explanation is included in the file:

http://www.ctc-dev.com/excel/pivottablesample.xls

I am running into issues because I am having to use an average instead of a sum in one of the column fields in a pivot table. Because of this average field, all the subtotals and percentage columns based on this field are all thrown off.


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Asked On
2003-11-17 at 12:07:59ID20800789
Tags

pivote

,

table

,

excel

Topic

Microsoft Excel Spreadsheet Software

Participating Experts
1
Points
250
Comments
11

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Answers

 

by: pkhariPosted on 2003-11-18 at 02:38:24ID: 9770049

Hi

Honestly, I have taken a look at your file and the comments there. I could not make much out of what you want to do with the average dollars field. Especially the comment you have made in the pivot saying it appears to be a simple idea, but technically huge - this needs some more explanation for me to understand it thoroughly.

Help me with more explanations to help you.

Cheers
P.K.Hari

 

by: ccarnsPosted on 2003-11-18 at 08:45:58ID: 9772039

P.K.Hari  -  First of all thanks for at least looking.

Did you look at both tabs? It only makes sense if you look at the Data And PivotTable tab.

Basically my problem is that since the Account Balance Dollars field is only correct if you display the grouping as an AVERAGE instead of your normal SUM the Subtotals and any corresponding Calculated Fields based on that field are not what I really want.

So in my example if you have a data source that is your bank transactions. Each row has one field that contains one transaction and the final balance for that account. By final balance I mean the balance at the end of the month - not the balance after the transaction was recorded.  So this balance figure can be thought of as coming from another disperate source.

Does this make the example any clearer.

 

by: ccarnsPosted on 2003-11-18 at 09:02:11ID: 9772150

I dont want to shift gears too much but I just thought of an idea that would solve all my problems

If I could create a Calculated Field with this formula :

='Dollars In Account' / COUNT('Dollars In Account')  
(but when I tried this method it ignores the  right hand of the formula and just displays 'Dollars In Account' value)

This really is the same as telling the field to be displayed as Average but then it would Sum the Totals correctly and I could base my other Calculated Fields off this one and come out with the correct answer.

 

 

by: ccarnsPosted on 2003-11-18 at 13:35:19ID: 9774213

Correction to previous post :  

It does not ignore the right hand of the formula - it is just that COUNT('Dollars In Account') always returns 1 - the Count I really want is how many records made up that grouping.

 

by: pkhariPosted on 2003-11-18 at 20:20:10ID: 9776290

Hi

I have just looked at your comments above. Will get back to you ASAP.

Cheers
P.K.Hari

 

by: pkhariPosted on 2003-11-19 at 03:47:07ID: 9778106

Hi

I think you should try moving the Dollars in Account from the "Data" pane in the Pivot table, to one of the "Row" fields in the pivot table. This can help you in having just one line account balance for Bank A, Account X, and for Bank A, Account Y etc. Once this is ok, you can check out the option of calculating percentage based on this field.

Try this and see if it helps.

Cheers
P.K.Hari

 

by: pkhariPosted on 2003-11-19 at 07:15:48ID: 9779815

Hi

Hope my suggestion helps you... I am leaving off now, but will be back tomorrow to check out your comments and would reply to any further queries from you.

Cheers
P.K.

 

by: ccarnsPosted on 2003-11-19 at 08:32:48ID: 9780485

P.K.  
  Thanks for the great suggestion.  This suggestion seems so easy but makes so much sense at the same time. The only downfall with doing this that I cant do a percentage calculation on that field any longer - but I will find out from the client if they can live with that.

 (looks we are on different sides of the world, thx for all your help)

 

by: pkhariPosted on 2003-11-19 at 20:01:43ID: 9784637

Hi

Yes, we are on different sides of the world, but the world is so small with the Internet revolution !!

Why not try to even bring the percentage field within the data sheet itself ? In other words, why do you want to make it as a calculated field in the Pivot table ? Is it not simpler to do it as part of the data itself and then just display it in the Pivot ?

Think of this, it may help.

Cheers
P.K.

 

by: ccarnsPosted on 2003-11-20 at 09:20:49ID: 9789156

P.K.

Again thanks for all your help.

I just got back from a meeting with the client and showed them the limitations of this field.  Low and behold we figured a way to bring this once disperate data in line with the other data.  So all our hard work and brain storming is all for not :)   The data  coming in will play nice with the other data so no need treat it any different.  Hard to explain here but I am sure you have experienced the same thing on a project.

I will award you the points for your great help and suggestions.

Craig

 

by: pkhariPosted on 2003-11-20 at 20:13:15ID: 9793973

Hi Craig

Thanks for the grade.

Cheers
P.K.

20120131-EE-VQP-002

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