← ACARA Digital Technologies Years 9–10

Creating a pivot chart

A chart linked to a pivot table. It updates whenever you change the pivot table's fields or filters. Create it with Insert > PivotChart.

Part of: ACARA Digital Technologies Years 9–10 — Analysing and Visualising Data — Module 55

Understanding Creating a pivot chart in ACARA Digital Technologies Years 9–10

What it does: Rearranging fields in the pivot table's layout automatically redraws the linked pivot chart. Change Chart Type lets you pick a chart that suits the data, such as a line chart for trends over time. Field buttons appear on the chart. You can use them to filter or change what the chart shows. Filtering a pivot chart only changes what is displayed. The source data is not changed. Column charts compare totals across categories such as shops. A scatter graph is for two number variables.

Common mistakes: Numbers you want to add up or count belong in the Values area, not the Axis area. The line should be: Drag Sales to the Values area. Region is text, so it cannot be summed. The Values area should hold a number field: Values: Sum of Sales.

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This module's key terms are also in a printable crossword (Modules 378–412) and word search (Modules 333–412).

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Learning

Duo

Which describes a pivot chart?

A chart with fixed values typed in by handA chart linked to a pivot table

Matches

Select a normal chart, then type new numbers into the pivot table to link them

↓

A normal chart is not a pivot chart. A pivot chart must be created from a pivot table using Insert > PivotChart, so the link exists from the start.

Applying

Meanings

Term

PivotChart

Meaning

A chart linked to a pivot table. It updates whenever you change the pivot table's fields or filters. Create it with Insert > PivotChart.

Practice

Click inside the pivot table

Testing

Gaps

Insert >

Check Answer

Spots

3Choose where to put the chart

4Drag Sales to the Axis area

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Quick Questions

1. Which describes a pivot chart?

A. A chart with fixed values typed in by hand

B. A chart linked to a pivot table ✓

A pivot chart is tied to a pivot table, so it always shows that table's summary data.

2. You change a field in the pivot table. What happens to its pivot chart?

A. The chart updates to match ✓

B. The chart stays the same

Pivot charts are linked to the pivot table. Changing fields or filters changes the chart too.

3. Which menu path creates a pivot chart in a spreadsheet?

A. Insert > PivotChart ✓

B. Data > Remove Duplicates

Select a cell in your data, then choose Insert > PivotChart to build the chart and its pivot table.

4. What are the buttons on a pivot chart that let you filter the data called?

A. Slicer cells

B. Field buttons ✓

Field buttons appear on the chart. You can use them to filter or change what the chart shows.

5. You use a field button to untick the 'Year 7' group. What happens?

A. The chart and pivot table both show only the remaining groups ✓

B. Year 7 is deleted from the original data

Filtering a pivot chart only changes what is displayed. The source data is not changed.

Match the Pairs

Insert > PivotChart → Creates a chart that is linked to a pivot table, so it updates when the pivot table changes

PivotChart field button → A filter button on the chart that lets you filter or change the fields shown, which also changes the pivot table

A pivot chart is linked to a pivot table, so changing the pivot table's fields changes the chart too → Drag Category from Rows to Columns in the PivotTable Fields pane

You can choose a chart type for a pivot chart, such as a column or line chart, to suit the message → PivotChart Design > Change Chart Type > Line

Select a normal chart, then type new numbers into the pivot table to link them → A normal chart is not a pivot chart. A pivot chart must be created from a pivot table using Insert > PivotChart, so the link exists from the start.

Delete the pivot table and expect the pivot chart to keep updating → The pivot chart depends on its pivot table for its data. Without the pivot table it cannot update when fields or filters change.

Key Term

PivotChart

A chart linked to a pivot table. It updates whenever you change the pivot table's fields or filters. Create it with Insert > PivotChart.

Fill in the Blanks

1. Insert > PivotChart

Hint: Type the name of the command that makes a chart linked to a pivot table.

2. Insert > PivotChart

Hint: Type the name of the ribbon tab where you find the PivotChart command.

3. Trend over months: use a line chart

Hint: Type the chart type that best shows change over time.

4. Click a field button on the chart to filter

Hint: Type the action you do with the field buttons on a PivotChart to show only some of the data.

5. Change the pivot table layout: the PivotChart updates too

Hint: Type the name of the chart that is linked to the pivot table and changes with it.

Spot the Error

Question 1

A Click inside the data table

B Insert > PivotChart

C Choose where to put the chart

D Drag Sales to the Axis area

E Drag Region to the Axis area

Line D — Numbers you want to add up or count belong in the Values area, not the Axis area. The line should be: Drag Sales to the Values area.

Question 2

A Click a cell in the data

B Insert > PivotChart

C Axis: Region

D Values: Sum of Region

Line D — Region is text, so it cannot be summed. The Values area should hold a number field: Values: Sum of Sales.

Question 3

A Click the PivotChart

B Use the Region field button

C Untick East to delete its data

D The PivotTable updates too

Line C — Unticking an item in a field button only filters what is shown. It does not delete any data. It should say: Untick East to hide its bars.

Question 4

A Click a cell in the table

B Choose Insert > PivotTable

C Pick New Worksheet

Line B — Insert > PivotTable makes only a pivot table. To make a chart linked to a pivot table, choose Insert > PivotChart.

Question 5

A Home > PivotChart

B Drag Product to the Axis area

C Drag Qty to the Values area

Line A — PivotChart is found on the Insert tab, not the Home tab. The line should be: Insert > PivotChart.

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