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Excel University Lesson 301: Mastering Excel Pivot Tables: From Basics to Automation

Replace complex formulas with dynamic, interactive reports and streamline your data analysis workflow.

Created byJeff Lenningworkspace_premiumBest Instructor
IntermediateUpdated Sep 24, 2026

What You'll Learn

  • check_circleConstruct pivot table reports using row, column, value, and filter fields
  • check_circleReplace complex formula-based reports with dynamic pivot table alternatives
  • check_circleManage and refresh data sources efficiently using Excel tables
  • check_circleApply custom grouping and subtotal functions to summarize data
  • check_circleFormat value fields and headers for professional report presentation

About This Course

This course provides a comprehensive guide to utilizing Excel pivot tables for efficient data summarization and reporting. It covers the fundamental mechanics of pivot table construction, including row, column, value, and filter fields, while demonstrating how to transition from formula-based reporting to dynamic pivot table structures. The material also addresses advanced techniques such as grouping, subtotals, value formatting, and data source management using tables to ensure reports remain accurate and scalable. By the end of the course, users will be equipped to build professional, interactive reports that simplify complex data analysis tasks.

Topics Covered:

  • Pivot table structure and layout areas
  • Data source management and table integration
  • Field grouping and subtotal configuration
  • Value field math and custom calculations
  • Keyboard shortcuts for dialog navigation
  • Report filtering and drill-down techniques
  • Value formatting and header customization

Course Content

3 activities • 20 videos • duration: 1h 40m

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Lecture11 videos • 1 quiz • 1.3 hours
  • videocamJunior Orientation
    Duration 2:16
  • videocamC1 Overview
    Duration 2:10
  • videocamC2 Selected Shortcuts
    Duration 6:28
  • videocamC3 PivotTable Basics
    Duration 9:27
  • videocamC4 Row Fields
    Duration 6:11
  • videocamC5 Value Fields
    Duration 12:27
  • videocamC6 Column Fields
    Duration 3:34
  • videocamC7 Filter Fields
    Duration 4:04
  • videocamC8 Updating Data
    Duration 10:56
  • videocamC9 Groups and Subtotals
    Duration 12:41
  • videocamC10 Value Formats
    Duration 5:22
  • quizJunior Year Orientation Quiz
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Additional Resources9 videos • 24 min
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Final Assessment1 quiz

Your Instructor

Jeff Lenning

CPA and Microsoft Certified Trainer

menu_book36 courses
star1,180 reviews

In his live CPE training sessions, Jeff Lenning CPA has shown thousands of CPAs and accounting professionals across the country how to use Excel to streamline their work and become more efficient. Several publications have featured his Excel articles, including the Journal of Accountancy and California CPA Magazine. After graduating from the University of Southern California, Jeff began his career in the audit practice at Arthur Andersen’s Orange County office. He was a senior financial analyst at Gateway computers and the accounting manager at Interpore Cross International. In 2000, he founded Click Consulting Inc., a technology-consulting firm that specializes in Excel training, consulting, development, and personal coaching. He is a past president of the CalCPA OCLB Chapter, the former chair of the California CPA State Technology Committee, co-chair of the California CPA OCLB Chapter Technology Committee, a board member of the California CPA OCLB Chapter, on the California Society of CPAs Council, and an instructor for the AICPA and the California CPA Education Foundation. A Microsoft Office Certified Excel Expert, he is a nationally recognized speaker and trainer. He was recently recognized with the California CPA Education Foundation's Award for Instructor Excellence.

Credit Information

Is this course eligible for my CPD requirements as a Canadian CPA?

Provincial regulators of CPAs in Canada do not require that independent providers of CPD be approved to offer courses. Instead, individual CPAs are responsible for assessing whether a CPD activity meets their requirements, and may take activities from any source provided those requirements are met.

Every course offered on LearnFormula is delivered by a qualified subject matter expert or learning organization, and advances learning objectives that are relevant to the responsibilities or professional competencies of Canadian CPAs. All activities on LearnFormula are quantifiable in terms of hours, and are also verifiable, in that users receive documented evidence of their attendance via a certificate of completion after finishing a course (and this certificate is stored by LearnFormula indefinitely). Nearly 100,000 Canadian CPAs successfully satisfy their CPD requirements via LearnFormula on an annual basis.

What Students Are Saying

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Frequently Asked Questions

We are a registered provider with 300+ associations and regulatory bodies worldwide. We operate across 27 global markets including Canada, the US, Australia, and the UK. Every course page clearly displays its specific accreditations. Upon completion, you receive a professional certificate that can be validated online. Our certificates include all necessary accreditation details, credit hours, and completion dates, and are formatted specifically to meet the submission requirements of most global regulatory bodies.

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