Tables allow you to analyze your data in Excel quickly and easily. Learn how to insert, sort and filter a table, and how to display a total row at the end of a table.
Insert a Table
To insert a table, execute the following steps.
1. Click any single cell inside the data set.
2. On the Insert tab, click Table.
3. Excel automatically selects the data for you. Check 'My table has headers' and click on OK.
Result. Excel creates a nicely formatted table for you. This may still seem like a normal data range to you but many powerful features are now just a click of a button away.
Note: the Table Tools contextual tab (with the underlying Design tab selected) is the starting point for working with tables. If at any time you lose this tab, simply click any cell within the table and it will activate again. Choose a table style you like. Hover over a table style and Excel gives you a life preview.
Sort a Table
To sort by Last Name first and Sales second, first sort by Sales, next sort by Last Name (the exact opposite).
1. Click the arrow next to Sales and click Sort Smallest to Largest.
2. Click the arrow next to Last Name and click Sort A to Z.
Result.
Filter a Table
To filter a table, execute the following steps.
1. Click the arrow next to Country and only check USA.
Result.
Total Row
To display a total row at the end of the table, execute the following steps.
1. On the Design tab, in the Table Style Options group, check Total Row.
2. Click any cell in the last row to calculate the Total (Average, Count, Max, Min, Sum etc.) of a column. For example, calculate the sum of the Sales column.
Note: in the formula bar see how Excel uses the SUBTOTAL function to calculate the sum. 109 is the argument for Sum if you use the SUBTOTAL function. Excel uses this function (and not the standard SUM function) to correctly calculate table totals of filtered tables.
