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I want to create a double bar graph from an existing pivot table, but excel won't let me simply add a new field for the column labels and manually put in numbers. What can I do?
Solved by C. F. in 18 mins
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User
12/07/2018 - 01:42
hello?
Excelchat Expert
12/07/2018 - 01:42
Welcome, thank you for choosing Got It Pro-Excel! I'll be glad to assist you with your concern. :)
User
12/07/2018 - 01:42
I just need some help with a spread sheet
User
12/07/2018 - 01:43
pivot table nonsense
User
12/07/2018 - 01:43
shit are you a bot?
User
12/07/2018 - 01:43
is this website a scam!?
Excelchat Expert
12/07/2018 - 01:43
Lol.
Excelchat Expert
12/07/2018 - 01:43
I'm a cool-looking person here to help you. :)
Excelchat Expert
12/07/2018 - 01:44
I understand you need help with pivot table concerns, reading from your post. It seems you're trying to add a field for the column labels correct?
User
12/07/2018 - 01:44
ya
User
12/07/2018 - 01:44
I wanna make a double bar graph with a pivot table
Excelchat Expert
12/07/2018 - 01:44
Okay, let me disclose this on you. Unfortunately, we can't actually manually put in numbers in a pivot table.
User
12/07/2018 - 01:44
one that measures the same value
User
12/07/2018 - 01:44
but for 2017 and 2018
User
12/07/2018 - 01:45
so how do I put in the numbers I want?
Excelchat Expert
12/07/2018 - 01:45
What we can do is to modify/add data in the reference dataset of your pivot table. And from there, we can manipulate the pivot table.
User
12/07/2018 - 01:45
how does one do that?
Excelchat Expert
12/07/2018 - 01:46
We can do it via multiple means. In fact, your problem may not actually need a pivot table, but a formula-based table calculating the values you need.
Excelchat Expert
12/07/2018 - 01:46
Will it be okay if you can share the file you're working on?
User
12/07/2018 - 01:47
can't
User
12/07/2018 - 01:47
info is classified
Excelchat Expert
12/07/2018 - 01:48
Oh I see. Noted on that. It's just that we may need some data we can work on (which is similar to your concern) so we could provide a solution. Most of the time, when working with pivot tables, solutions will depend on the situation.
User
12/07/2018 - 01:48
Ok so I have numbers from 2018 that are preset, (3, 6, 2, 1)
User
12/07/2018 - 01:48
and I know the numbers
Excelchat Expert
12/07/2018 - 01:48
Okay I see.
User
12/07/2018 - 01:48
that I want to add next to them
User
12/07/2018 - 01:48
for 2017
User
12/07/2018 - 01:49
(5, 5, 1, 1)
User
12/07/2018 - 01:49
but I don't know how to just slap them on
User
12/07/2018 - 01:49
so that the graph will reflect them
Excelchat Expert
12/07/2018 - 01:50
In this case, since you can't manually enter values in pivot tables, the best solution I can recommend is to copy the pivot table values in another sheet, and from there on, add your desired values. You can then use this data set to create your double bar graph.
User
12/07/2018 - 01:51
Just drop the pivot stuff altogether right?
User
12/07/2018 - 01:52
and just make a double bar graph right
User
12/07/2018 - 01:52
That's what I told my bosses! But they're so committed to this pivot table nonsense!
Excelchat Expert
12/07/2018 - 01:52
In fact, that may be the case. We could go further by making a formula-based table (which may function as a pivot table in a sense), and manually enter your data.
Excelchat Expert
12/07/2018 - 01:52
Oh, that's quite a dilemma.
Excelchat Expert
12/07/2018 - 01:53
Should that be the case, you can actually explain to them the limitations of pivot tables.
User
12/07/2018 - 01:53
I think I will
User
12/07/2018 - 01:53
I thought
User
12/07/2018 - 01:53
I just didn't know how to do what they asked
User
12/07/2018 - 01:53
it seems there are real limitations here
User
12/07/2018 - 01:53
that's new information at least
Excelchat Expert
12/07/2018 - 01:54
Yes, one big limitation of pivot tables is that you can't manually enter values to be included in them.
Excelchat Expert
12/07/2018 - 01:54
You need to go to the reference data set of the pivot table, and manipulate data over there.
Excelchat Expert
12/07/2018 - 01:55
In that sense, if you're dealing with huge volume of data, it may be impractical depending on the situation.
Excelchat Expert
12/07/2018 - 01:55
In this sense, it is best to just draft a formula-based table, which is especially helpful if you only deal with a single type of table structure.
User
12/07/2018 - 01:56
It's weird, when I go to the "source" data, it just takes me to a chart with words and dates
User
12/07/2018 - 01:56
no numbers
Excelchat Expert
12/07/2018 - 01:56
Pivot tables are very useful and easy to use. However, they do not encompass all kinds of purpose.
Excelchat Expert
12/07/2018 - 01:56
Oh, pivot tables can actually work even with no numbers.
User
12/07/2018 - 01:56
Ah I see
Excelchat Expert
12/07/2018 - 01:56
One function of the pivot table is to COUNT similar data.
Excelchat Expert
12/07/2018 - 01:57
So in a column of yes/no answers, it can count how many are yes and no values. In this sense, it can deal with non-numerical values as well.
User
12/07/2018 - 01:58
That's probably it
Excelchat Expert
12/07/2018 - 01:59
So anyhow, that's how we may approach your concern.
User
12/07/2018 - 01:59
I think I'll talk to my bosses about dropping the pivot tables
User
12/07/2018 - 01:59
thanks for all your help.
Excelchat Expert
12/07/2018 - 01:59
Sure thing!
Excelchat Expert
12/07/2018 - 02:00
You can now end the session via the button on your upper right (sorry, can't do it from our end). I would also appreciate it if you can leave a great feedback after this.Thanks so much for using Got it pro and have a nice day! :)
User
12/07/2018 - 02:00
Alright, sure thing
User
12/07/2018 - 02:00
have a nice day
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