Working with PIVOT CHARTS in MS Excel

Steps to Create a Pivot Chart in Excel

You can create a pivot chart by using two ways. One is to add a pivot chart in your existing pivot table, and other is to create a pivot chart from scratch.

1. Create a Pivot Chart from Scratch 

Creating a pivot chart from scratch is as simple as creating a pivot table. All you need, a data sheet.

Here I am using Excel 2013 but you use steps in all versions from 2007 to 2016.

• Select any of the cells in your data sheet and go to Insert Tab → Charts → Pivot Chart.

• The pop-up window will automatically select the entire data range and you have the option to choose the place where you want to insert your pivot chart.

• Click OK.
• Now, you have a blank pivot table and pivot chart in a new worksheet.

• In pivot chart fields, we have four components like we have in a pivot table.
  • Axis: Axis in pivot chart is as same as we have rows in our pivot table.
  • Legend: Legend in pivot chart is as same as we have columns in our pivot table.
  • Values: We are using quantity as values.
  • Report Filter: You can use report filter to filter your pivot chart.

• So, here is your fully dynamic pivot chart.

2. Create a Pivot Chart from Existing Pivot Table

If you already have a pivot table in your worksheet then you can insert a pivot chart by using these simple steps.

• Select any of the cells from your pivot table.

• Go to Insert Tab → Charts → Pivot Chart and select the chart which you want to use.

• Click Ok.

It will insert a new pivot chart in the same worksheet where you have your pivot table. And, it will use pivot table rows as axis and columns as the legend in pivot chart.

• Select your favorite chart type.

• Click OK.

2. Refresh a Pivot Chart

Refreshing a pivot chart is just like refreshing a pivot table. If your pivot table is refreshing automatically, then your pivot chart will also update along with that.

Method-1

• Right-click on your chart.
• And then click on pivot chart options.

• Go to data tab and tick mark “Refresh data when open a file”.

• Click OK.

Method-2

Use below VBA code to refresh all kind of pivot tables and pivot chart in you workbook.

Sub auto_open()
Dim PC As PivotCache
For Each PC In ActiveWorkbook.PivotCaches
PC.Refresh
Next PC
End Sub

Apart from above, code you can use following VBA code if you want to refresh a particular pivot table.

Sub auto_open()
ActiveSheet.ChartObjects("Chart 5").ActivateActive
Chart.PivotLayout.PivotTable.PivotCache.Refresh
End Sub

3. Filter a Pivot Chart

Just like a pivot table, you can filter your pivot chart to show some specific values. One thing is clear that a pivot table and pivot chart are connected with each other.

So, when you filter a pivot table, your chart will automatically filter.

And, when you add any filter in your pivot table it will automatically add into your pivot chart and vice versa.

Please follow these steps for this.

• Right click on your pivot chart and click on “Show Field List”.

• In your pivot chart field list, drag fields in the filter area.

4. Show Running Total in a Pivot Chart

In below pivot chart, we have used a running total to show the growth throughout the period.

To enter a running total in a pivot chart is just like entering a running total in a pivot table. But we need to make some simple changes in chart formatting.

• From your pivot chart field list, drag your value field twice in value area.

• Now, in second field value open “Value Field Settings”.
• Go to “show value as” tab and select running total from the drop down.

• Click OK.

So here is your pivot chart with running total but one more thing which we have to do to make it perfect.

• Select you primary axis and change values as per your secondary axis.

5. Move a Pivot Chart to New Sheet

Like a standard chart, you can move your Excel pivot chart to a chart sheet or any other worksheet.

To move your pivot chart.

• Select your chart and right click on it.
• Click on move chart and you will get a pop-up window.

• Now, you have two different options to move your chart.
  • New Chart Sheet.
  • Another Worksheet.

• Select the desired option and click OK.

You can also move your chart back to the original sheet using same steps.

Other tips for working on Pivot Charts

Some of extra tips to make a better control over it.

1. Using a Slicer with a Pivot Chart to Filter

As We have already mentioned, you can use a slicer with your pivot chart.

And, the best part is that you can filter multiple pivot tables and pivot charts with a single slicer. Follow these steps.

• Select your pivot chart and go to Analyze Tab → Filter → Insert Slicer.

• Select the field which you want to use as a filter.

• Click OK.

Using a slicer is always a better option is than a standard filter.

2. Insert a Timeline to Filter Dates in a Pivot Charts 

If you want to filter your pivot chart using a date field then you can use a timeline instead of a slicer.

Filtering dates with a timeline is super easy.

This is like an advanced filter which you can use to filter dates in term of days, months, quarters and years.

• Select your pivot chart and go to Analyze Tab → Filter → Insert Timeline.

• Select your date field from the pop-up window and it will show you fields with dates.
• Click OK.

3. Present Months in a Pivot Chart by Grouping Dates

Now, let’s say you have dates in your data, and you want to create a pivot chart on month basis.

One simple way is to add a month column in your data and use it in your pivot chart.

But, here is the twist.

You can group dates in your pivot table which will further help you to create a pivot chart with months even when you don’t have months in source data.

• Go to your pivot table and select any of the cells from your date field column.
• Right-click on it and select group.