Pivot Tables
Summarize granular rows into totals, counts, averages, and cross-tab reports using a drag-and-drop pivot table builder — all in the browser.
Overview
Pivot tables in SheetTool let you transform row-level data into summary reports by grouping, aggregating, and cross-tabulating values. Use the drag-and-drop interface to assign columns to row groups, column groups, and value fields. Choose from SUM, COUNT, AVG, MIN, and MAX aggregation types. Grand totals are calculated automatically for both rows and columns. The resulting pivot table can be exported as CSV or Excel for sharing or further analysis.
Syntax & Reference
- Row fields
- Columns assigned to rows become the grouping labels on the left side of the pivot table. Each unique value creates a row in the output.
- Column fields
- Columns assigned to the column area create cross-tab headers. Combine with row fields for matrix-style reports (e.g., region × month).
- Value fields + aggregation
- Numeric columns assigned to values are aggregated using SUM, COUNT, AVG, MIN, or MAX. You can add multiple value fields to compare different metrics side by side.
- Grand totals
- Automatic row and column grand totals are calculated and displayed at the edges of the pivot table.
- Export pivot results
- Export the pivot table output as CSV or Excel. The exported file contains the summarized data, not the raw source rows.
Examples
Revenue by month and region
Set Month as the row field, Region as the column field, and SUM of Revenue as the value. Instantly see a cross-tab of revenue broken down by both dimensions.
Support ticket counts by status and assignee
Group by Assignee in rows, Status in columns, and COUNT of Ticket ID as the value to see workload distribution at a glance.
Average order value by category
Set Category as the row field and AVG of Order Total as the value to compare average spend across product categories.
Inventory summary by warehouse
Group by Warehouse in rows with SUM of Quantity and COUNT of SKU as values to see stock levels and product variety per location.
Tips & Best Practices
- Clean dates, currencies, and percentages before building the pivot so aggregation functions work on proper numeric values.
- Use COUNT first to validate row coverage and confirm grouping looks right, then switch to SUM or AVG for the final report.
- Start simple with one row field and one value, then add column fields and additional values incrementally.
- Export the pivot result as a separate file when the summary is what stakeholders need, rather than the raw data.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do pivot tables in SheetTool compare to Excel pivot tables?+
SheetTool pivot tables cover the core functionality: row/column grouping, five aggregation types (SUM, COUNT, AVG, MIN, MAX), and grand totals. They are designed for quick analysis in the browser. For advanced features like calculated fields, slicers, or drill-down, you would export to Excel.
Can I pivot on multiple columns at once?+
Yes. You can assign multiple columns to the row area and multiple columns to the column area to create nested groupings. You can also add multiple value fields with different aggregation types.
Does the pivot table update when I change the source data?+
The pivot table is generated from the current state of your data. If you edit cells, add rows, or apply transforms, you can rebuild the pivot table to reflect the updated data.