When creating an Excel Pivot Table, what happens if your data source is in another location?

Would you have to copy your data into the same spreadsheet?

Well, NO!  You can simply use the External Data Sources feature in your Pivot Table and Excel will magically import the data for you!

You can import data into your Pivot Table from the following data sources:

  • Excel workbook
  • Microsoft Access database
  • SQL Server
  • Analysis Services
  • Windows Azure Marketplace
  • OData Data Feed

For our example, we will import data using two data sources, an Excel workbook and an Access file.

Use An External Data Source To Import Data Into An Excel Pivot Table | MyExcelOnline

Want to know how to Import Data into Microsoft Excel?

*** Watch our video and step by step guide below with free downloadable Excel workbook to practice ***

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Download the YouTube Excel practice file

*** Watch our video and step by step guide below with free downloadable Excel workbook to practice ***

Watch it on YouTube and give it a thumbs-up!

Download the YouTube Excel practice file

Import from another Excel Workbook:

External Data Source

Import From Microsoft Access and into Excel:

External Data Source

Wondering how this is even possible? Read on!

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Import from another Excel Workbook:

 

STEP 1:  Go to Insert > Tables > PivotTable

External Data Source

 

STEP 2: Select Use an external data source and click Choose Connection.

External Data Source

 

STEP 3: Select Browse for More.

External Data Source

 

STEP 4: Select the Excel file with your data. Click Open.

External Data Source

 

STEP 5: Select the first option and click OK.

External Data Source

 

STEP 6: Click OK.

External Data Source

 

STEP 7: In the VALUES area put in the Sales field, for the COLUMNS area put in the Financial Year field, and for the ROWS area put in the Sales Month field

Your Pivot Table is ready from the Excel data source!

External Data Source

 

Import From Microsoft Access and into Excel:

 

STEP 1: Now let us try for an Access data source!

Go to Data > Get External Data > From Access

External Data Source

 

STEP 2: Select the Access Database Source file in your desktop or company file path. Click Open.

External Data Source

 

STEP 3: Select PivotTable Report and click OK.

External Data Source

 

STEP 4: In the VALUES area put in the Sales field, for the COLUMNS area put in the Financial Year field, and for the ROWS area put in the Sales Month field

Your Pivot Table is ready from the Access data source!

External Data Source

More Ways to Import External Data into an Excel Pivot Table:

You can also use this functionality to get data from other source types: SQL Server, Analysis Services, Windows Azure, and oData Data Feed

Use An External Data Source To Import Data Into An Excel Pivot Table | MyExcelOnline

 

 

How to Use an External Data Source with Excel Pivot Tables

 

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