In data processing, a pivot table is a data summarization tool found in data visualization programs such as spreadsheets or business intelligence software. Among other functions, a pivot-table can automatically sort, count, total or give the average of the data stored in one table or spreadsheet. It displays the results in a second table (called a "pivot table") showing the summarized data. Pivot tables are also useful for quickly creating unweighted cross tabulations. The user sets up and changes the summary's structure by dragging and dropping fields graphically. This "rotation" or pivoting of the summary table gives the concept its name.
The term pivot table is a generic phrase used by multiple vendors. In the United States, Microsoft Corporation has trademarked the specific form PivotTable.
Pivot tables can be seen as a simplification of the more complete and complex OLAP concepts.
Read more about Pivot Table: History, Explanation of A Pivot Table, How A Pivot Table Works, Application Support, As An OLAP Client
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