Pivot Tables Limit Number of Columns (inconsistently)

[wotonka]

Hello,
I am having a hard time with Pivot tables. I have an 8 column pivot table, and when I want to add another field, the message is:...

"Microsoft Excel cannot make this change because there are too many row or column items. Drag at least one row or column field off the pivot table, or to the page position. Alternatively, right click a field, then hid or hide levels. "

This puzzles me, since I have another pivot table on another tab that I am working on, and that pivot table has 12 columns (although it won't let me add a 13th column). Does anyone know how Excel determines when it has "had enough", thereby prohibiting the addition of another column? Is there a work around?

Also, does any one know how to use the "fields per column" scrolling selector? I have played around with entering 1,2,3 etc, and it doesn't seem to have an effect. What is its purpose.

Thanks in advance for any help you may offer !

Guy
aka Wotonka

 

[BrianB]

Depends on the version. Have a look in Excel Help for "Limits in Microsoft Excel". Might not have what you want though.

 

[wotonka]

Brian,
Thanks for your reply. Since posting the original question, I have searched the Mr.Excel database and find quite a few users experiencing the same error message. It seems that although powerful, pivot tables are limited.

Thanks for your reply.