Dates in external data source into pivot table

[pdqexcel]

I have recently learned about the Text to Columns function in Excel to convert imported (via ODBC) dates into Excel dates (Thank you texasalynn).

But my problem now is that I need to import the data into a pivot table and pivot tables do not allow the Text to Columns function.

Additionally, does anyone know MS's direction on pivot tables? Is it dying because large companies are using OLAP technology?

Scott

 

[BrianB]

You cannot "import data into a pivot table" - but you can link a pivot table to your imported data table after Text to Columns.

Nothing will replace pivot tables (in any case they exist already) . We humble beings will probably never get access to OLAP cubes. I have used various types of interfaces with corporate databases over the last 15 years - and we still end up with text file transfers.

1. It is so simple.
2. We get the raw data without having to change the format (which is never what we want)
3. No matter how big, companies do not want to spend money on all those extra licences when we have Access and Excel already.

 

[pdqexcel]

BrianB

Thanks for the reply.

Therefore, the data must be manipulated prior to loading the pivot table.

I guess Excel has a hidden table in the worksheet which is used to load the pivot table. And this is why we cannot change the contents of a pivot table because the pivot table is the results of the data, not the data itself.

And MS does not make avalable this hidden data.

A Humble Being with Aspirations

Scott

 

[BrianB]

OK, what I said isn't really true <<grin>>. If you really want to dig deeper, look up the PivotCache Object in VB Editor help. I don't think you can do much with it. This is a step between data and pivot table. I have never bothered with this myself because it is so easy to manipulate the raw data.