The data in a PivotTable is not linked directly to the source list or database. Instead, the PivotTable is based on a hidden copy of the source data that is kept in memory by Excel. This means that changes to the original source list or database will not be automatically updated in the PivotTable. If you make changes in the source data, you must refresh the PivotTable to update it.

 

You can refresh a PivotTable by clicking the red exclamation mark on the PivotTable toolbar.

Another way to refresh your PivotTable is to right click anywhere on the pivot table and click the Refresh Data option on the drop down menu.

 

 

In this worksheet, you can see that the sales figure for product Type 1, for the salesman B. Doe (cell E16) has been changed to 250. This translates into a profit of 500 (cell F16).

 

 

You will notice that the PivotTable based on this data is out of date, because it shows profit from the sale of Type 1 by salesman B. Doe as 200 (cell C25).

 

Clicking the red exclamation mark on the PivotTable toolbar refreshes the PivotTable, updating the table with new values and totals.

The PivotTable has been refreshed.