Pivot tables summarise data by reorganising rows into columns, making it easier to see patterns and compare values across different categories. If you're familiar with Excel's PivotTable feature, you'll find the concepts here very similar—choose which columns appear as row headers, which split values horizontally, and which values to display in the cells.
Creating a pivot table
You can build a pivot table from two types of sources:
Data models that we provide, which contain prepared datasets ready for analysis
Tables you've already added to your workbook, where the pivot table becomes a child element of that table
Create a pivot table from a data model
Click Add element in the left sidebar.
Select Data, then choose Pivot table.
Browse or search for the data model you want to use.
Select the data model to add the pivot table to your page.
The pivot table appears on the page, ready to configure. It won't display any data until you add columns to the pivot rows, pivot columns, or values sections.
Create a pivot table from an existing table
When you create a pivot table from a table that's already in your workbook, the pivot table becomes a child element. This means it automatically inherits any filters applied to the parent table, and changes to those filters flow through to the pivot table.
Method 1: Using the Create child element button
Hover over the table you want to use as the source.
Click the Create child element button (the chart icon with a plus sign) that appears in the top right corner of the table.
Select Pivot table from the options.
Method 2: Using Add element
Click Data in the floating UI menu.
Then choose Pivot table.
When choosing your source, look under In Use or Elements to find tables already in your workbook.
Select the table to create a pivot table based on it.
The advantage of building from an existing table is that any calculated columns you've added to that table are available in your pivot table, and filters applied to the parent automatically affect the pivot.
Understanding the three zones
Every pivot table has three configuration zones that determine how your data is organised and displayed. You'll find these in the Editor panel when you select a pivot table.
Zone | What it does | Example |
Pivot rows | Columns that appear as row headers (vertical groupings) | Product category, Region |
Pivot columns | Columns that split values horizontally across the table | Year, Quarter, Month |
Values | Columns showing calculated data in the cells | Sum of emissions, Average intensity |
Think of it this way: pivot rows answer "what am I looking at?", pivot columns answer "how is it broken down?", and values answer "what are the numbers?".
For example, to see total emissions by product category for each quarter, you would:
Add Product Category to Pivot rows
Add Quarter to Pivot columns
Add Emissions to Values (automatically summed)
Configuring your pivot table
Once you've created a pivot table, you'll configure it by adding columns to each zone.
Add columns to your pivot table
Select the pivot table on your page.
In the Editor panel, locate the Pivot rows, Pivot columns, and Values sections.
Click + next to the section where you want to add a column.
Select the column from your data source.
You can add multiple columns to each section. When you add multiple pivot rows, they create a hierarchy—for example, Region → Country → City.
Remove columns from your pivot table
In the Editor panel, hover over the column you want to remove.
Click the × that appears next to the column name.
Change how values are calculated
When you add a column to Values, it's automatically summarised based on its data type. Number columns are summed; text and date columns are counted. You can change this calculation.
In the Editor panel, hover over the value column and click the menu (▼).
Select Set aggregate.
Choose from the available options: Sum, Avg, Median, Min, Max, Count, CountDistinct, or others.
For example, if you've added Emissions as a value and want to see the average rather than the total, select Avg from the Set aggregate menu.
Working with the pivot layout
Swap rows and columns
To quickly flip your pivot table orientation:
Select the pivot table.
In the Editor panel, click the Swap rows with columns icon next to the Pivot rows header.
Your pivot rows become columns and vice versa. This is useful when you want to change how your data is oriented without reconfiguring everything manually.
Display multiple pivot rows as separate columns
When you have more than one pivot row, you can choose how they're displayed:
Single column (default): All row categories appear in one column with indentation showing the hierarchy.
Separate columns: Each row category gets its own column, similar to a standard table.
To switch between these views:
Select the pivot table.
In the Editor panel, look for the column layout icon next to the Pivot rows section.
Click Display as separate columns or Display as a single column to toggle.
Expand and collapse grouped rows
When your pivot table has multiple pivot rows, you can expand and collapse the groupings to focus on specific data.
Click + next to a row header to expand and show the detail rows beneath it.
Click − to collapse the group and show only the summary.
This works for both row and column groupings when you have multiple levels.
Totals and subtotals
Pivot tables automatically calculate totals and subtotals when your Values contain summarised data.
Show or hide grand totals
Grand totals appear as a final row and column showing the overall totals for your entire pivot table.
To hide all grand totals:
Select the pivot table.
In the Editor panel, select the Format tab.
Click Totals to expand the section.
Turn off Show grand totals.
To hide only the row or column grand total:
Click the column menu (▼) for the relevant pivot row or column.
Select Totals of [Column Name].
Deselect Show grand total.
Show or hide subtotals
Subtotals appear when you have multiple pivot rows or columns, showing intermediate sums for each grouping level.
To hide all subtotals:
Select the pivot table.
In the Editor panel, select the Format tab.
Click Totals to expand the section.
Turn off Show subtotals.
Formatting pivot tables
You can customise the appearance of your pivot table to match your reporting needs.
Access formatting options
Select the pivot table.
In the Editor panel, select the Format tab.
Click a category to expand its settings.
Available formatting options
Category | What you can change |
Table style | Style presets (Spreadsheet or Presentation), cell spacing, grid lines, row banding |
Totals | Font weight, font colour, and background colour for subtotals and grand totals |
Format | Empty cell display value, repeat row labels |
Apply conditional formatting
You can highlight values based on rules, such as showing high emissions in red.
Select the pivot table.
In the Editor panel, select the Format tab.
Click Conditional formatting.
Click + Add rule.
Choose the column to format, select a format type (single colour, colour scale, or data bars), and configure the conditions.
Use the checkboxes to apply formatting to values, subtotals, or grand totals.
Style totals rows and columns
To make totals stand out:
Select the pivot table.
In the Editor panel, select the Format tab.
Click Totals to expand the section.
Under Subtotals or Grand totals, adjust the font weight, font colour, or background colour.
Tips
Start with your question: Before building a pivot table, think about what comparison you want to make. This helps you choose the right columns for rows, columns, and values.
Use child elements: Creating a pivot table as a child of a filtered table means your pivot automatically reflects those filters.
Check your totals: If totals don't look right, check which calculation is being used. Averaging a column that should be summed (or vice versa) is a common source of confusion.
Keep it focused: Pivot tables work best with a clear purpose. If you find yourself adding many pivot rows and columns, consider whether multiple simpler pivot tables might communicate your data more clearly.