MS EXCEL - Pivot Tables (?)

[Reeve of shinra]

I have an excel spreadsheet with data in various columns.

item #, item group, a few others, notes.

What I was trying to do was create a pivot table where I could select a value listed in the item group to display corresponding data - mostly notes.

Access would probably be better, but excel would make updating this much simpler.

Thanks,

[FWC]

Have you tried AutoFilter? You can select the item group and see all the other fields for just the item you select.

[Reeve of shinra]

Yeah I started using autofilter, but I am distributing this to people I work with and its just looks 'cleaner' with a pivot table.

I was able to get most of what I needed done with it. The autofilter gave me an idea which worked! lol

Anyway, I am now just trying to figure out how to get the pivot table to display the full contents of the field. It cuts off after so many characters ... hmmm

[FWC]

Pivot tables do look cool and do some really handy things. I'm pretty good with Excel, but they are my weakest area. I usually use if statements and filters to get what I want. But, I've had to start using pivot tables more in the last week.

[Scrub]

What on earth is Pivot tables!?

[Reeve of shinra]

Pivot tables are a great way of summarizing info in an excel sheet. Best way to really get a feel for it is to try it out. Its under tools.

As for me, I ended up going with access anyway. Now I am trying to play around with MS sql to create forms. I might just do it in php on mysql which I am more familiar with, but anyhow ... bleh

[Scrub]

Oh. Thanks. . .