1. Prepare a tidy source table
Give every column a clear, unique header such as Region, Product, Order Date, Sales, or Quantity. Each row should be one record. Remove merged cells, blank header rows, and total rows before you start, because they can distort grouping and calculations.
2. Upload your CSV or XLSX file
Open the free online pivot chart maker and upload a CSV or XLSX file. The tool reads the data locally in your browser. Review the detected field types: labels should be text, dates should be dates, and amounts should be number or currency fields.
3. Choose the fields for your pivot table
Pick the comparison first. For example, select Region as the row field, Category as the column field, and Sales as the value field. Choose Sum for totals, Count for records, or Average for typical values. Filters help you focus on a specific period or segment.
4. Select a pivot chart that fits the data
Use a bar chart for category comparisons, a line chart for trends over time, and a pie chart only for a small number of parts of a whole. Keep the number of series manageable so labels stay readable.
5. Review and export
Check the pivot table before sharing the chart. Confirm that the totals, field labels, and filters match the question you intended to answer. Export the chart as PNG, or download the summarized table as CSV or XLSX.
Worked example: sales by region and category
Use Region for rows, Category for columns, and Sales as the value with Sum. This groups 12 retail sales records into an easy-to-check summary.
Download the example sales CSV or see the full pivot chart example.
