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A pivot table turns a long list of rows into a short summary you can read at a glance, such as total costs per department or the average price per neighborhood. You build it with a few clicks instead of formulas, and you can rearrange it whenever the question changes.<\/p>\n
This guide shows how to create a Google Sheets pivot table step by step, how to edit and filter it, and how to turn it into a chart.<\/p>\n
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Pivot tables are a powerful tool for extracting and analyzing the information you need from a large dataset. They\u2019re an easy way to \u201cslice and dice\u201d data in spreadsheets: in other words, to filter and then group data. For example, you might want to examine sales for a specific year (slice) and then break it down by product category (dice).<\/p>\n
The name comes from the way you can pivot the data, turning rows into columns and back, to look at the same numbers from another angle.<\/p>\n
The significant advantage of pivot tables is that they are dynamic, quicker, and more reliable than manually typing formulas.<\/p>\n
Pivot tables enable different users to customize the structure and design of tables, allowing them to view the specific data they need. Within the same organization, each stakeholder is interested in different aspects of operations. Even within departments, coworkers use slightly different KPIs or filters to achieve the same goal.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019ve used Excel, you\u2019re probably already familiar with Pivot tables, and Google Sheets has the same tool.<\/p>\n
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If your work involves finding key patterns, trends, or making a comparative analysis on large datasets, pivot tables in Google Sheets help in these ways:<\/p>\n
Now that you\u2019ve seen the most useful ways to use pivot tables in Google Sheets, let\u2019s see how you can easily create them.<\/p>\n
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Making a pivot table in Google Sheets takes five steps.<\/p>\n
In this example, I\u2019m using publicly available data from Airbnb listings in Paris. This dataset has listed rooms and apartments in Paris, including indicators such as neighborhood, room type and price.<\/p>\n
Note<\/b>: your columns must have a named header in the top row to use the data in the pivot table.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/static.sheetgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/Create-pivot-table.jpg” alt=”How to create a pivot table in Google Sheets \u2014 Create pivot table dialog with New sheet selected” title_text=”Create pivot table dialog with New sheet selected” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.24.1″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” custom_margin=”30px||30px||true|false” border_radii=”on|12px|12px|12px|12px” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n I want my pivot table to show the average prices for each neighborhood in Paris. This is where pivot tables are really useful: they let you analyze information quickly without writing formulas.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/static.sheetgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/Pivot-table-airbnb-avg-price.jpg” alt=”Google Sheets pivot table \u2014 average price per Paris neighbourhood with the pivot table editor open” title_text=”Average price per Paris neighbourhood with the pivot table editor open” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.24.1″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” custom_margin=”30px||30px||true|false” border_radii=”on|12px|12px|12px|12px” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n Let’s extract more data. Suppose I want to know how many days of the year these rooms are available.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/static.sheetgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/Availability-Airbnb-Paris-pivot-table.jpg” alt=”Google Sheets pivot table \u2014 average price and availability per Paris neighbourhood” title_text=”Average price and availability per Paris neighbourhood” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.24.1″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” custom_margin=”30px||30px||true|false” border_radii=”on|12px|12px|12px|12px” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n That\u2019s it: these are the basic steps for creating a pivot table in Google Sheets.<\/p>\n In this example, I\u2019ve created a pivot table that shows the average price for a room in each neighborhood of Paris and the number of days per year these rooms are available.<\/p>\n From a huge data set containing more than 60,000 Airbnb listings, I can easily reach various insights:<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n The steps above put the pivot table on a new sheet. To add it next to your data instead:<\/p>\n 1.<\/strong> Go to Insert > Pivot table and check the data range.<\/p>\n 2.<\/strong> Under Insert to, choose Existing sheet, then click the grid icon in the field below it.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/static.sheetgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/google-sheets-pivot-table-existing-sheet.webp” alt=”Google Sheets pivot table \u2014 Create pivot table dialog with Existing sheet selected” title_text=”Create pivot table dialog with Existing sheet selected” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n 3.<\/strong> Click the cell where the pivot table should start, or type its reference, and click OK. Then click Create.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/static.sheetgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/google-sheets-pivot-table-location.webp” alt=”Add a pivot table to an existing sheet \u2014 What location box set to cell G1″ title_text=”What location box set to cell G1″ align=”center” _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n Pick a spot with empty space below it and to its right, because the pivot table grows as you add fields.<\/p>\n For a quick summary, let Google Sheets build the pivot table for you. Suggestions won’t cover advanced needs, but they take seconds.<\/p>\n 1.<\/strong> Insert an empty pivot table as shown above.<\/p>\n 2.<\/strong> In the pivot table editor, open Suggested and pick one. Here, it’s “Average of Total Costs for each Department”.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/static.sheetgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/google-sheets-pivot-table-suggested.webp” alt=”Google Sheets pivot table suggestions \u2014 Suggested list in the pivot table editor” title_text=”Suggested list in the pivot table editor” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n 3.<\/strong> The pivot table fills in right away, and you can still edit it like any other.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/static.sheetgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/google-sheets-pivot-table-suggested-average.webp” alt=”Google Sheets pivot table suggestions \u2014 average of Total Costs for each department” title_text=”Average of Total Costs for each department” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n You have already filtered your data by creating a pivot table, but you might want to break that information down into further categories. You can do that by adding an extra filter in the pivot table editor.<\/p>\n Go to Filter. Again, Google Sheets provides automatic suggestions based on your data.<\/p>\n If you want to add a different filter, click Add. Next to Showing all items, click the \u23f7dropdown menu.<\/p>\n You can:<\/p>\n Note: if you apply a filter and then update your source data, you need to update your pivot table filter.<\/p>\n Looking at the Airbnb data, let\u2019s say I want to analyze my data by room type. First I add a column for room type. But I only want to see results for: hotel room, private room and shared room. Under Filter I select those rooms.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/static.sheetgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/Pivot-table-Airbnb-filtered-by-room-type.jpg” alt=”Edit a pivot table in Google Sheets \u2014 Airbnb prices by neighbourhood split into room type columns” title_text=”Airbnb prices by neighbourhood split into room type columns” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.24.1″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” custom_margin=”30px||30px||true|false” border_radii=”on|12px|12px|12px|12px” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n Filter by condition is the quickest way to focus on the biggest numbers. In this second example, a table of costs per department, Total Costs is under Filters. Open Showing all items and choose Filter by condition.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/static.sheetgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/google-sheets-pivot-table-filter-by-condition.webp” alt=”Filter a Google Sheets pivot table \u2014 Filter by condition option in the Total Costs filter” title_text=”Filter by condition option in the Total Costs filter” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n Pick Greater than and enter the threshold, here 25,000. The pivot table now lists only the items above it.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/static.sheetgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/google-sheets-pivot-table-filter-greater-than.webp” alt=”Filter a Google Sheets pivot table \u2014 Total Costs filter set to value is greater than 25000″ title_text=”Total Costs filter set to value is greater than 25000″ align=”center” _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n Each field under Rows or Columns has its own Order and Sort by settings. In this example, the rows show Department and then Product, both in ascending order. Switch Order to Descending, or sort by a value such as SUM of Total Costs, to put the biggest numbers first.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/static.sheetgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/google-sheets-pivot-table-rows-sort.webp” alt=”Sort a Google Sheets pivot table \u2014 Department and Product rows with Order and Sort by settings” title_text=”Department and Product rows with Order and Sort by settings” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n Under Values, Summarize by sets the calculation, such as SUM, COUNT, AVERAGE, MAX, or MEDIAN. Show as displays each result as is or as a percentage of its row, its column, or the grand total.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/static.sheetgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/google-sheets-pivot-table-summarize-by.webp” alt=”Summarize a Google Sheets pivot table \u2014 Summarize by list with SUM, COUNT, AVERAGE, MAX, and MIN” title_text=”Summarize by list with SUM, COUNT, AVERAGE, MAX, and MIN” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n To combine several row items into one group, select them in the pivot table, right-click, and choose Create pivot group. For a date column, right-click a date and choose Create pivot date group, then pick a period such as Month or Year. To undo a group, right-click it and choose Ungroup pivot items.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text module_id=”customize” _builder_version=”4.27.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n If Google\u2019s automatic suggestions don\u2019t match what data you need, you can adjust the Rows, Columns, Values, and Filter manually.<\/p>\n Deselect Google\u2019s default suggestions by clicking X<\/b>, then Add<\/b>, and selecting which row or column you want to pull data from.<\/p>\n You can change the header names by clicking directly on a row or column.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n In the pivot table editor on the right-hand side, go to Values <\/b>> Add <\/b>> Calculated field<\/b>.<\/p>\n Enter your formula, then go to Summarize by<\/b>, and click Custom<\/b>. A new column appears called \u201cCalculated field 1.\u201d<\/p>\n For help with writing formulas in Google Sheets, see Google\u2019s full function list here<\/a>.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n Google Sheets has no separate pivot chart tool. You add a regular chart on top of the pivot table, and the chart follows the pivot table when you change it.<\/p>\n 1.<\/strong> Click any cell inside the pivot table.<\/p>\n 2.<\/strong> Go to Insert > Chart. Google Sheets picks a chart type and uses the pivot table as the data range.<\/p>\n 3.<\/strong> In the chart editor, open the Setup tab and choose a type under Chart type. A column or bar chart compares totals per category. A pie chart shows how each category adds up to the whole.<\/p>\n 4.<\/strong> Open the Customize tab to change the chart title, axis titles, and colors.<\/p>\n If you add a filter or switch Summarize by from SUM to AVERAGE, the chart updates with the pivot table. When the pivot table gains rows outside the chart’s data range, extend the range in the Setup tab. And if the Grand Total shows up as its own bar, untick Show totals for that row field in the pivot table editor.<\/p>\n For more chart options, see how to insert a chart in Google Sheets<\/a> or how to make a pie chart in Google Sheets<\/a>.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n A pivot table reads one data range. If your data sits on another tab of the same file, type that tab’s range in the Data range field, for example Sales!A1:E500. If it’s split across several tabs or files, combine it into one range first:<\/p>\n Then build the pivot table on the combined range, as shown above.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n You\u2019ve now got an overview of how to create a pivot table in Google Sheets. Pivot tables have many uses and they can get quite complicated, hopefully this post helped you get started.<\/p>\n Looking for other quick ways to filter data in your spreadsheets? Check out our post on sorting and filtering data in Google Sheets<\/a>.<\/p>\nStep 3: Insert the pivot table<\/h3>\n
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Step 4: Pivot table editor<\/h3>\n
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Step 5: Customize the pivot table<\/h3>\n
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How to add a pivot table to an existing sheet<\/h2>\n
How to create a pivot table from Google’s suggestions<\/h2>\n
How to edit a pivot table in Google Sheets<\/h2>\n
Add a filter to the pivot table<\/h3>\n
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How to sort and summarize pivot table data<\/h3>\n
How to group rows in a pivot table<\/h3>\n
How to customize rows and columns<\/h3>\n
Add a custom formula<\/h3>\n
How to create a pivot chart in Google Sheets<\/h2>\n
How to make a pivot table from multiple sheets<\/h2>\n
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That\u2019s how to do a pivot table in Google Sheets<\/h2>\n