Excel 2024: Make Pivot Tables Expandable Using Ctrl+T


May 15, 2024 - by

Excel 2024: Make Pivot Tables Expandable Using Ctrl+T

If you choose all of columns A:J and you later want to add more records below the data, it takes only a simple Refresh to add the new data instead of having to find the Change Data Source icon. In the past, this made sense. But today, Change Data Source is right next to the Refresh button and not hard to find. Plus, there is a workaround in the Ctrl+T table.

When you choose your data set and select Format as Table by using Ctrl+T, the pivot table source will grow as the table grows. You can even do this retroactively, after the pivot table exists.

This figure below shows a data set and a pivot table. The pivot table source is A1:C16.

A pivot table in E2:F6 is using a data source in A1:C16. The source data is not formatted as a table yet.
A pivot table in E2:F6 is using a data source in A1:C16. The source data is not formatted as a table yet.

Say that you want to be able to easily add new data below the pivot table, as shown below. Select one cell in the data and press Ctrl+T. Make sure that My Table Has Headers is checked in the Create Table dialog and click OK.

continue reading »

More Reading


Excel 2024: Specify Defaults for All Future Pivot Tables

Excel 2024: Specify Defaults for All Future Pivot Tables »

May 13, 2024 - by Bill Jelen


It took me six years, but I finally convinced the Excel team that a lot of people prefer Tabular layout for pivot tables to the Compact layout that became the default layout in Excel 2007. If you have Office 365, you now have the ability to specify pivot table defaults.

Excel 2024: Find the True Top Five in a Pivot Table

Excel 2024: Find the True Top Five in a Pivot Table »

May 10, 2024 - by Bill Jelen


Pivot tables offer a Top 10 filter. It is cool. It is flexible. But I hate it, and I will tell you why.

Excel 2024: Change the Calculation in a Pivot Table

Excel 2024: Change the Calculation in a Pivot Table »

May 8, 2024 - by Bill Jelen


Pivot tables offer a myriad of calculations in the Field Settings dialog box. Here is a faster way to change a calculation.

read more articles »

Featured Products


Power BI for the Excel Data Analyst

July 2022

A step-by-step guide on how to use Power BI. Written with Excel fans in mind, but with every Power BI student at its heart.


Supercharge Power BI - 3rd Edition

February 2021

Released in 2021, this book will teach you the DAX language from the ground up, using Power BI as your canvas.


Financial Modelling in Power BI

September 2022

The only book to produce all three financial statements in Power BI.


Your Excel Survival Kit - Second Edition

March 2021

This book helps you realize that Excel is on your side. It can be your friend, not your enemy. If and when you upgrade your Excel skills you will experience many positives: you will learn to love Excel, you will learn how to use Excel to become an invaluable asset in your workplace.


see more products »