Excel - How to Change Pivot Table Data Source - Expert Solution

Question description:
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I created a pivot table linked to source data in a separate worksheet and the pivot table was distributed to employees. The data had confidential in it that was accidentally included. I thought deleting the sheet with the data source would break the pivot table, but that is not the case. Can I do anything to corrupt the pivot table?
Solved by I. J. in 40 mins
This is the chat thread from the real Excelchat help session. It contains no private user information.
Excelchat Expert 07/02/2018 - 04:30
Hello, welcome to excel got it pro.
User 07/02/2018 - 04:34
Hello
User 07/02/2018 - 04:34
my question is general and not specific to any spreadsheet
Excelchat Expert 07/02/2018 - 04:35
Yes, I understand.
User 07/02/2018 - 04:35
do you have any insight on how I can break an existing pivot table that draws from an external source?
User 07/02/2018 - 04:35
we accidentally included confidential data in the source data
User 07/02/2018 - 04:35
I tried to delete the file
User 07/02/2018 - 04:35
but the pivot table still works
Excelchat Expert 07/02/2018 - 04:36
If you have selected "save source data with file" option when or if it is ticked when sending the file then deleting source data won't affect pivot tables.
Excelchat Expert 07/02/2018 - 04:37
If you have access to those pivot tables, then you can break the relation from the pivot tables to source data.
Excelchat Expert 07/02/2018 - 04:38
Does it help?
Excelchat Expert 07/02/2018 - 04:42
Hello, are you with me?
User 07/02/2018 - 04:44
we already emailed the spreadsheet with the pivot tables
User 07/02/2018 - 04:44
to other employees
User 07/02/2018 - 04:44
can we still break the pivot?
Excelchat Expert 07/02/2018 - 04:47
I'm sorry to say, In that case It is not possible.
Excelchat Expert 07/02/2018 - 04:48
There is nothing you can do only from your side now.
Excelchat Expert 07/02/2018 - 04:51
Since the excel files are standalone and not dependent you have no available options.
Excelchat Expert 07/02/2018 - 04:51
anything else you need to know?
Excelchat Expert 07/02/2018 - 04:54
If not please close the session by clicking on the "end session" button. Please remember that if you don't close the session I am stuck here and won't be able to help others.

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