Updating a PivotChart Automatically

Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated May 29, 2023)
This tip applies to Excel 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and Excel in Microsoft 365


5

David has monthly data in a worksheet. He uses a PivotTable to aggregate this information into a quarterly information; this works great. He then creates a PivotChart based on the information in the PivotTable. Problem is, if the PivotTable updates, the PivotChart does not automatically update. David wonders if there is a way to update the PivotChart whenever the PivotTable is updated.

When you choose to update a PivotTable, you typically do so by clicking the Refresh tool on the PivotTable Analyze tab of the ribbon. (You can also use the Alt+F5 shortcut, if you want.) This action updates what you are looking at—in other words, the currently visible PivotTable.

If you want to update other pivot-based data in the workbook (in other words, a PivotChart you are not currently looking at on the screen), you need to modify, slightly, how you update. Instead of using the Refresh tool, click the down-arrow under the Refresh tool and then choose Refresh All. (You could also use the Ctrl+Alt+F5 shortcut.) This updates all pivot data, including PivotCharts, with a single step.

ExcelTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Excel training. This tip (13689) applies to Microsoft Excel 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and Excel in Microsoft 365.

Author Bio

Allen Wyatt

With more than 50 non-fiction books and numerous magazine articles to his credit, Allen Wyatt is an internationally recognized author. He is president of Sharon Parq Associates, a computer and publishing services company. ...

MORE FROM ALLEN

Sending Drawing Objects to the Back or Front

Not only can you place drawing objects in your worksheets, but you can organize those objects so some are in front and ...

Discover More

Understanding MRU Files

Don't you love all the acronyms used in computer terminology? One such acronym--"pertinent to Word users--"is MRU. This ...

Discover More

Hyperlink Doesn't Match Cell Contents

When you add a hyperlink to a worksheet, over time and after doing a bunch of editing, what you see in the cell can get ...

Discover More

Program Successfully in Excel! John Walkenbach's name is synonymous with excellence in deciphering complex technical topics. With this comprehensive guide, "Mr. Spreadsheet" shows how to maximize your Excel experience using professional spreadsheet application development tips from his own personal bookshelf. Check out Excel 2013 Power Programming with VBA today!

More ExcelTips (ribbon)

Pointing PivotTables to Different Data

Changing the data source PivotTables go to can be a bit tricky. This tip explains what can happen when you re-point your ...

Discover More

Rows in a PivotTable

PivotTables are used to analyze huge amounts of data. The number of rows used in a PivotTable depends on the type of ...

Discover More

Turning Off Automatic Sorting in PivotTables

Tired of your data being sorted when you create a PivotTable? Excel allows you to specify how the sorting should occur by ...

Discover More
Subscribe

FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in ExcelTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."

View most recent newsletter.

Comments

If you would like to add an image to your comment (not an avatar, but an image to help in making the point of your comment), include the characters [{fig}] (all 7 characters, in the sequence shown) in your comment text. You’ll be prompted to upload your image when you submit the comment. Maximum image size is 6Mpixels. Images larger than 600px wide or 1000px tall will be reduced. Up to three images may be included in a comment. All images are subject to review. Commenting privileges may be curtailed if inappropriate images are posted.

What is one less than 9?

2019-10-21 06:45:38

Alex B

Either I am missing something or my Excel (365) is working differently.
If the PivotChart was created based on the information in the PivotTable, this should mean that it is linked to the Pivot Table and the same Pivot Cache. Refreshing either the Pivot Table or the Pivot Chart would update both. This is true even if you moved the chart to another sheet.

If it is not doing so that would indicate that the chart is not actually based on the Pivot Table being refreshed.
You could right click on the Pivot Table and select PivotTable Options & on the Chart and select PivotChart Options and check they both show the same Pivot Table name.


2019-10-21 04:42:27

Harold Druss

Brian
My comment was meant to be a joke.


2019-10-20 14:59:38

Brian

Not automatic. Pressing buttons is manual. And you would have to personally detect when a source data change occurs.
Need to automate with VBA in a calculation worksheet event.


2019-10-20 05:55:40

Harold Druss

Brian
When the Pivot Table updates, you automatically press Ctrl+Alt+F5
That's not automatic?


2019-10-19 20:08:10

Brian

How is this automatic?


This Site

Got a version of Excel that uses the ribbon interface (Excel 2007 or later)? This site is for you! If you use an earlier version of Excel, visit our ExcelTips site focusing on the menu interface.

Newest Tips
Subscribe

FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in ExcelTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."

(Your e-mail address is not shared with anyone, ever.)

View the most recent newsletter.