Getting rid of a pivot table in Excel is a piece of cake once you know the steps. All you need to do is select the pivot table, go to the “PivotTable Analyze” tab, and hit the “Select” dropdown. Then choose “Entire PivotTable,” and press the delete key on your keyboard. And just like that, the pivot table is gone!
Step by Step Tutorial for Removing Pivot Table in Excel
Before diving into the nitty-gritty, it’s crucial to understand that removing a pivot table can’t be undone with the ‘undo’ button. So, make sure that you really want it gone before proceeding. Let’s get to it!
Step 1: Select the Pivot Table
Click anywhere inside the pivot table to make it active.
When you select the pivot table, Excel will automatically open the “PivotTable Analyze” tab at the top of the screen. This is where all the magic happens.
Step 2: Go to the “PivotTable Analyze” Tab
Find and click on the “PivotTable Analyze” tab in the ribbon.
This tab holds all the tools you need to tweak your pivot table, but for now, we’re focusing on the “Select” option which is what you need to remove the pivot table.
Step 3: Click on “Select” Dropdown
Click on the “Select” dropdown menu within the “PivotTable Analyze” tab.
The “Select” dropdown is a small button with an arrow pointing downwards. It’s usually located towards the far left of the “PivotTable Analyze” tab.
Step 4: Choose “Entire PivotTable”
From the dropdown options, choose “Entire PivotTable.”
This step ensures that you’re selecting more than just a cell – you’re selecting the whole pivot table, which is exactly what you want to remove.
Step 5: Press the Delete Key
With the entire pivot table selected, press the delete key on your keyboard.
And just like that, the pivot table is no more. Your worksheet should now be pivot table-free!
After completing these steps, the pivot table will be removed from your Excel worksheet. It will be as if it was never there, leaving you with a clean slate to work with.
Tips for Removing Pivot Table in Excel
- Always double-check that you’ve selected the entire pivot table before hitting delete.
- If you’re hesitant to delete the pivot table, you can copy the worksheet and try deleting it on the copy first.
- Remember that once a pivot table is deleted, it can’t be recovered through the ‘undo’ feature.
- It’s good practice to keep a backup of your data before making any major changes, such as deleting a pivot table.
- If you only want to remove the data but keep the structure of the pivot table, you can clear the data instead of deleting the entire pivot table.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if I accidentally delete my pivot table?
If you accidentally delete your pivot table, unfortunately, you cannot recover it using the undo feature. It’s best to make sure you have a backup of your data before deleting anything.
Can I recover a deleted pivot table?
Once a pivot table is deleted, it’s gone for good. Excel’s undo feature doesn’t cover the deletion of pivot tables, so always ensure you’re certain before you remove it.
Is there a way to just clear the data but keep the pivot table structure?
Yes, instead of deleting the pivot table, you can choose to clear all the data. Right-click on the pivot table, select “PivotTable Options,” go to the “Data” tab, and click “Clear All.” This will keep the pivot table fields intact but remove all the data.
Can I delete a pivot table if I’m not the one who created it?
Absolutely, as long as you have editing permissions on the Excel file, you can delete any pivot table within the workbook.
Why can’t I find the “PivotTable Analyze” tab?
If you’re not seeing the “PivotTable Analyze” tab, it’s likely because the pivot table isn’t currently selected. Click anywhere inside the pivot table to activate the tab.
Summary
- Select the Pivot Table.
- Go to the “PivotTable Analyze” Tab.
- Click on “Select” Dropdown.
- Choose “Entire PivotTable.”
- Press the Delete Key.
Conclusion
Removing a pivot table in Excel is a straightforward process that can be done in just a few clicks. It’s essential to ensure you have finished using the pivot table and are ready to part with it, as there’s no turning back once it’s gone. Always keep a backup of your data to avoid any accidental losses during such operations. As with any Excel feature, practice makes perfect. The more you work with pivot tables, the more comfortable you’ll become in managing them, whether that’s creating, modifying, or even deleting them. Happy Excel-ing!
Matthew Burleigh has been writing tech tutorials since 2008. His writing has appeared on dozens of different websites and been read over 50 million times.
After receiving his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Computer Science he spent several years working in IT management for small businesses. However, he now works full time writing content online and creating websites.
His main writing topics include iPhones, Microsoft Office, Google Apps, Android, and Photoshop, but he has also written about many other tech topics as well.