← ACARA Digital Technologies Years 9–10

Connecting one slicer to several pivot charts

A slicer setting that links one slicer to many pivot tables. Tick each pivot table to connect; they must share the same source data. One click then updates every linked chart.

Part of: ACARA Digital Technologies Years 9–10 — Analysing and Visualising Data — Module 59

Understanding Connecting one slicer to several pivot charts in ACARA Digital Technologies Years 9–10

What it does: Right-clicking the slicer and choosing Report Connections opens the list of pivot tables you can link. Each pivot table is listed with a tick box. Ticking it connects the slicer to that pivot table. Connecting a slicer saves time and means all charts show the same filtered group.

Common mistakes: Report Connections is opened from the slicer, so you must select the slicer first. It should be 'Select the Region slicer'. A slicer can only link pivot tables that share the same source data. Line 3 should say they share the same source.

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This module's key terms are also in a printable crossword (Modules 413–424) and word search (Modules 413–451).

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Learning
Duo
Which setting links one slicer to several pivot tables?
Report ConnectionsReport Cleaning
Matches
Report Connections: only PivotTable1 is ticked
↓
Only one pivot table is ticked, so the other pivot chart will not change when the slicer is clicked. Tick every pivot table you want to link.
Applying
Meanings
Term
Report Connections
Meaning
A slicer setting that links one slicer to many pivot tables. Tick each pivot table to connect; they must share the same source data. One click then updates every linked chart.
Practice
Right-click slicer > Report Connections
Testing
Gaps
Right-click slicer >
Check Answer
Spots
1Select a pivot table cell
2Open Report Connections

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Quick Questions

1. Which setting links one slicer to several pivot tables?
A. Report Connections ✓
B. Report Cleaning
Right-click the slicer and choose Report Connections to pick which pivot tables it controls.
2. To connect a slicer to a second pivot table, what do you do in the Report Connections box?
A. Tick the box next to that pivot table ✓
B. Retype the pivot table's name into the slicer
Each pivot table is listed with a tick box. Ticking it connects the slicer to that pivot table.
3. Two pivot tables are built from the same source data. Can one slicer control both?
A. No, each pivot table needs its own slicer
B. Yes, using Report Connections ✓
Pivot tables that share the same source data can all be ticked in Report Connections.
4. Pivot table A uses the 'Sales' table and pivot table B uses a different table called 'Staff'. What happens in Report Connections?
A. Pivot table B is not offered as an option to connect ✓
B. Both are listed and can be connected
Report Connections only lists pivot tables built from the same source data as the slicer.
5. You tick three pivot tables in Report Connections and then click 'Year 9' on the slicer. What happens?
A. Only the first pivot table updates
B. All three pivot tables and their charts update at once ✓
One click on a connected slicer filters every linked pivot table, so every pivot chart updates too.

Match the Pairs

Report Connections → The slicer setting that lets one slicer control several pivot tables, so one click updates all the linked pivot charts.
Tick the box beside each pivot table → Connects that pivot table to the slicer, so it filters whenever the slicer is clicked.
To link a slicer to more than one pivot table, right-click the slicer and open this option. → Report Connections...
Pivot tables can only share a slicer when they are built from the same source data, such as one table. → Source: SalesTable (for both pivots)
Report Connections: only PivotTable1 is ticked → Only one pivot table is ticked, so the other pivot chart will not change when the slicer is clicked. Tick every pivot table you want to link.
PivotTable1 uses SalesTable, PivotTable2 uses a different data set → The pivot tables have different source data, so the second one will not appear in Report Connections. Build both from the same source data.

Key Term

Report Connections
A slicer setting that links one slicer to many pivot tables. Tick each pivot table to connect; they must share the same source data. One click then updates every linked chart.

Fill in the Blanks

1. Right-click slicer > Report Connections
Hint: Type the name of the slicer menu option that links the slicer to other pivot tables.
2. Report Connections: tick each PivotTable
Hint: Type the one-word name of the object you tick in the list to connect it to the slicer.
3. Pivot tables need the same source data
Hint: Type the word that describes the data source the pivot tables must share to be connected.
4. One slicer can update many pivot charts
Hint: Type the name of the filter button tool that can be connected to several pivot tables.
5. One click updates every linked chart
Hint: Type the word describing charts that have been connected to the slicer.

Spot the Error

Question 1
A Select a pivot table cell
B Open Report Connections
C Tick each pivot table
D Click OK
Line A — Report Connections is opened from the slicer, so you must select the slicer first. It should be 'Select the Region slicer'.
Question 2
A PivotTable1 uses Sales
B PivotTable2 uses Sales
C Each uses a different source
D So one slicer can link both
Line C — A slicer can only link pivot tables that share the same source data. Line 3 should say they share the same source.
Question 3
A Click the slicer
B Open Slicer Settings
C Tick PivotTable1 and 2
D Click OK
Line B — Slicer Settings only changes the name and sort order. The link to other pivot tables is made in Report Connections.
Question 4
A Make PivotTable1 and 2
B Insert a slicer for Region
C Open Report Connections
D Leave PivotTable2 unticked
E Click OK
Line D — A pivot table is only connected if you tick it. PivotTable2 must be ticked so the slicer controls it too.
Question 5
A Build one pivot table first
B Insert one slicer
C Open Report Connections
D Tick both and click OK
Line A — You need at least two pivot tables to link them. Both pivot tables must exist before you connect the slicer.

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