Comparing Pivot Tables

MartinS

Active Member
Joined
Jun 17, 2003
Messages
490
Office Version
  1. 365
Platform
  1. Windows
OK, so my task is to write a 'tool' that the user can specify the location of two workbooks in a specific format. The first was the 'original' run (1), the second the same but at an 'updated position' (2), so improvements due to data cleansing etc.

Each workbook with have the same tabs, and on two tabs specifically, 6 pivot tables (on each sheet) which summarise the source data. So between (1) and (2) there will be differences. It is almost guaranteed that the tables will differ in size between the 2 workbooks, so i can't just compare cell to cell in each pivot table.

Can anyone suggest some ideas on how to go about comparing pivot tables? Ideally I'd like to load the contents of each pivot table into memory (I can't figure out quite how to do this) and then loop through it and check that it's the same field/item before comparing. The results needs to show 6 tables (for each comparison) showing the differences between (1) and (2), so the final table should contain all the fields and items found in both (1) and (2).

I've had a good think, and have done some googling, but can't get me head around how this can be done. If not working in memory is a better approach, am happy to consider that too.

Thanks in advance

Martin
 

Excel Facts

Can Excel fill bagel flavors?
You can teach Excel a new custom list. Type the list in cells, File, Options, Advanced, Edit Custom Lists, Import, OK
Re: Help with Comparing Pivot Tables

It would be a lot easier if you had the source data for each pivot table, do you?

If so, just copy/paste the 'original' data for each tab to a new workbook, and in the next available column just copy/paste 'original' down the data. Then copy/paste the data for the 'Updated' directly below it into each tab and copy/paste 'Updated' to the bottom. Then just create a new pivot table with original/updated as a column and all the columns/rows in the source pivots as rows. it should be easy to spot any differences or do a formula

It's easy enough to write VBA to automate this, create a new workbook, add and name tabs, open each specified workbook, select/copy the source data paste to the new workbook. Then create the pivot tables for each tab and copy formulas down the data.
 
Last edited:
Upvote 0
Re: Help with Comparing Pivot Tables

It would be a lot easier if you had the source data for each pivot table, do you?

If so, just copy/paste the 'original' data for each tab to a new workbook, and in the next available column just copy/paste 'original' down the data. Then copy/paste the data for the 'Updated' directly below it into each tab and copy/paste 'Updated' to the bottom. Then just create a new pivot table with original/updated as a column and all the columns/rows in the source pivots as rows. it should be easy to spot any differences or do a formula

It's easy enough to write VBA to automate this, create a new workbook, add and name tabs, open each specified workbook, select/copy the source data paste to the new workbook. Then create the pivot tables for each tab and copy formulas down the data.

Thanks. I do have the source data, yes. That's a good suggestion, I will take a look at that idea.
Thanks again
Martin
 
Upvote 0
Re: Help with Comparing Pivot Tables

Goodo, hope it works out. The only 'tricky' past is creating the pivot table. Not because it's difficult, it's not but you need to understand pivot tables in vba and understand the pivottable cache and rename the pivot table as soon as you create it so it's not called PivotTableN where N is some random incremental number you can't predict. If you're not familiar there's plenty of help here.
 
Upvote 0
Re: Help with Comparing Pivot Tables

Goodo, hope it works out. The only 'tricky' past is creating the pivot table. Not because it's difficult, it's not but you need to understand pivot tables in vba and understand the pivottable cache and rename the pivot table as soon as you create it so it's not called PivotTableN where N is some random incremental number you can't predict. If you're not familiar there's plenty of help here.

Thanks
 
Upvote 0

Forum statistics

Threads
1,224,818
Messages
6,181,151
Members
453,021
Latest member
Justyna P

We've detected that you are using an adblocker.

We have a great community of people providing Excel help here, but the hosting costs are enormous. You can help keep this site running by allowing ads on MrExcel.com.
Allow Ads at MrExcel

Which adblocker are you using?

Disable AdBlock

Follow these easy steps to disable AdBlock

1)Click on the icon in the browser’s toolbar.
2)Click on the icon in the browser’s toolbar.
2)Click on the "Pause on this site" option.
Go back

Disable AdBlock Plus

Follow these easy steps to disable AdBlock Plus

1)Click on the icon in the browser’s toolbar.
2)Click on the toggle to disable it for "mrexcel.com".
Go back

Disable uBlock Origin

Follow these easy steps to disable uBlock Origin

1)Click on the icon in the browser’s toolbar.
2)Click on the "Power" button.
3)Click on the "Refresh" button.
Go back

Disable uBlock

Follow these easy steps to disable uBlock

1)Click on the icon in the browser’s toolbar.
2)Click on the "Power" button.
3)Click on the "Refresh" button.
Go back
Back
Top