Auto resizeable range with Offset function
Resizeable range is commonly known as the dynamic range in other Excel
sites. With the range, we will no longer need to resize the data
source for Pivot tables. Before we learn how to set up one,
let's first understand the offset function, the main component in resizeable range.
The offset formula will return the address of a cell if the width and
height is set to 1. And it will return a range of cell if the width
is set to more than 1. Using the counta formula, we will be able to
measure the height (no of rows) and width (no of columns) of the
database automatically. And if the counta formula is applied to the
offset formula instead of entering a fixed number, we can a re-sizable
range that varies based on the size of the database. Here is how the
formula of a re-sizable range.
=Offset(A1,0,0,counta(A:A),counta(1:1))
In the above formula, the starting point of the database is A1.
This is denoted by first the 3 parts of the Offset formula. In the fourth part,
we used a
counta formula to count the number of records in columns A, a mean
to determine the height or number of rows of the database. In the
same way, we use a counta formula for the fifth part to count the number of cells in
row 1 to determine the number of columns in the database (Each column
should have a field name).
Even though the formula will give an automatic resizeable range,
the solution will not be complete without the steps that follow.
This is because pivot table cannot accept formula in their range.
But they can accept a range name and the range name can accept formula.
Therefore, we have to create a range name and put the above formula
into its reference.
Then put the range name into the pivot table range when you are
asked for the source range in Step 2 of 3 of the pivot table wizard.
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