Pivot table and changing headers

[welshwonder]

Hi,

I have a pivot table which will remain the exact same size and shape. The headers are based on a formula and change depending on that. This has caused a problem with my pivot table as it doesn't recognise any new header names. Is there a way of getting this to work (the headers can not be static).

Thanks

 

[RoryA]

Why do your headers change? If you change field names, you will break the pivot and have to recreate it, although that can be automated if necessary.

 

[welshwonder]

Why do your headers change? If you change field names, you will break the pivot and have to recreate it, although that can be automated if necessary.

They are months (not dates, format M1, M2, M3 etc) which change depending on a user entry elsewhere in the spreadsheet i.e. they are formula based on entries elsewhere.

 

[welshwonder]

I thought that I'd post my own fix up here just in case anyone else needs it in the future.

I changed my approach slightly to include a static timeline in the base data with the dynamic timeline in a row above it. The Pivot Table data area only inlcuded the static timeline (i.e 1, 2, 3, 4 etc in place of months etc).

I created the pivot table as normal and then added a row above it which included a formula to lookup the dynamic timeline from the static one. I then hid the static timeline in the Pivot Table and formatted the lookup row with the dynamic timeline in line with my Pivot Table. This works and most users would be none the wiser.