Summarize:

A Pivot Table allows you to create visual reports of the data from a spreadsheet. You can perform calculations without having to input any formulas or copy any cells. You will need a spreadsheet with several entries in order to create a Pivot Table. You can also create a Pivot Table in Excel using an outside data source, such as Access. You can insert the Pivot Table in a new Excel spreadsheet. A pivot table is not always the answer you are looking for. In order to take advantage of the pivot table features, your spreadsheet should meet some basic criteria: Your spreadsheet should include at least one column with duplicate values. This basically just means that at least one column should have repeating data. In the example discussed in the next section, the "Product Type" column has two entries: "Table" or "Chair". It should include numerical information. This is what will be compared and totaled in the table. In the example in the next section, the "Sales" column has numerical data. Click the "Insert" tab at the top of the Excel window. Click the "PivotTable" button on the left side of the Insert ribbon. If you are using Excel 2003 or earlier, click the Data menu and select PivotTable and PivotChart Report... By default, Excel will select all of the data on your active spreadsheet. You can click and drag to choose a specific part of the spreadsheet, or you can type the cell range in manually. If you are using an external source for your data, click the "Use an external data source" option and click Choose Connection.... Browse for the database connection saved on your computer. After selecting your range, choose your location option from the same window. By default, Excel will place the table on a new worksheet, allowing you to switch back and forth by clicking the tabs at the bottom of the window. You can also choose to place the Pivot Table on the same sheet as the data, which allows you to pick the cell you want it to be placed. When you are satisfied with your choices, click OK. Your Pivot Table will be placed and the interface will change.
Load the spreadsheet you want to create the Pivot Table from. Ensure that your data meets the needs of a pivot table. Start the Pivot Table wizard. Select the data you want to use. Select the location for your Pivot Table.