Pivot Table - Options

[Julie Quass]

This seems like it should be so easy, but I'm having trouble with it.

Here's my example:

I have a pivot table with 2 fields. One is budget and the other is actual.
I want to add a field that shows me the difference between the 2 columns. I
am trying to do this by adding the actual column to the data field again and
then changing its appearnce with the "Options" button. I've selected
"Difference from" under the heading of "Show Data As." I've then selected
the budget as my Base Field. What should I be selecting for Base Item? It
seems like this should be intuitive. Anyway, regardless of which base item I
select, I get a blank column.

I can certainly calculate my difference off to the side of the pivot table,
but it seems like there must be a better way.

Thanks for your help!

[Die_Another_Day]

There is no easy way, this seems to be one of many problems with pivot
tables. Your closest would be to click the pivot table drop down button
on the pivot table toolbar then select formulas, calculate field and
use the formula Field1 - Field2. The MAJOR problem with using this is
that you are locked into a sum function now.

HTH

Die_Another_Day
Julie Quass wrote:
> This seems like it should be so easy, but I'm having trouble with it.
>
> Here's my example:
>
> I have a pivot table with 2 fields. One is budget and the other is actual.
> I want to add a field that shows me the difference between the 2 columns. I
> am trying to do this by adding the actual column to the data field again and
> then changing its appearnce with the "Options" button. I've selected
> "Difference from" under the heading of "Show Data As." I've then selected
> the budget as my Base Field. What should I be selecting for Base Item? It
> seems like this should be intuitive. Anyway, regardless of which base item I
> select, I get a blank column.
>
> I can certainly calculate my difference off to the side of the pivot table,
> but it seems like there must be a better way.
>
> Thanks for your help!

[Debra Dalgleish]

Perhaps you could add a field to the source data, and calculate the
difference there. Then, add that field to the pivot table's data area.

Julie Quass wrote:
> This seems like it should be so easy, but I'm having trouble with it.
>
> Here's my example:
>
> I have a pivot table with 2 fields. One is budget and the other is actual.
> I want to add a field that shows me the difference between the 2 columns. I
> am trying to do this by adding the actual column to the data field again and
> then changing its appearnce with the "Options" button. I've selected
> "Difference from" under the heading of "Show Data As." I've then selected
> the budget as my Base Field. What should I be selecting for Base Item? It
> seems like this should be intuitive. Anyway, regardless of which base item I
> select, I get a blank column.
>
> I can certainly calculate my difference off to the side of the pivot table,
> but it seems like there must be a better way.
>
> Thanks for your help!


--
Debra Dalgleish
Contextures
http://www.contextures.com/tiptech.html