How to Insert Excel Pivot Tables

Pivot Tables Tip #1

There are three ways to insert a new pivot table in Excel. I’ll show you all three and give you my suggestion on each.

Excel Ribbon Commands. (“Insert >> Pivot Table”).

Suggestion — ONLY use this option the first time you set up a pivot table in a new install of #Excel. (and at that point, right click and save it to your QAT).

Quick Access Toolbar.

Once you have saved the Create Pivot Table shortcut to your QAT, it’s an easy mouse-click away any time you need to use it. Suggestion — locate it early on your QAT and use the “ALT + [No.]” keyboard shortcut to invoke.

Keyboard shortcut.

As Mike Girvin (ExcelIsFun YouTube channel) has reminded me repeatedly over the last few years, “ALT + N, V” is the keyboard shortcut to create a pivot table. Use it. Suggestion — if you don’t have the QAT keyboard shortcut available (i.e., the shortcut is further down your QAT, use “ALT + N, V” — make it a habit!).

The keyboard is the only way I create pivot tables — how about you?

Thanks to Olivia Tomoff for the reminder about this basic tip!