Microsoft Excel

Excel PivotTable - Table vs Range as Source - Which is better?

Chris Menard

23 Sep 2023 — 1 min read

In Excel, a PivotTable can be based on a Range or on a Table. I encourage you to base your PivotTable on a Table. Initially, both a range and table will be correct.

The issue comes when you add data to the source and update or Refresh your PivotTable. If based on a table, the PivotTable updates automatically. If based on a Range, the PivotTable will not refresh, and you have to change your data source, which you may forget to do.

Issue with adding records when using a Range

Keyboard Shortcut to create a Table

CTRL + T

Mouse method

Click the Insert Tab
Click Table in the Tables Group.

YouTube Video

Excel PivotTable - Table VS. Range as source - Which is better?

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