# How do I make a pivot table in Google Sheets?

To make a pivot table in Google Sheets, select the source data (each column needs a header), click Insert > Pivot table, then in the side panel click Add next to Rows to choose a field such as Category, and Add next to Values to choose the amounts to show. A ProfitDrawer bookkeeping spreadsheet already has a Monthly Summary tab with income, expenses, profit and margin for all 12 months, so a pivot table is optional there.

**Create it (computer):**

1. Select the cells with your source data. Every column needs a header.
2. Click **Insert > Pivot table**, then open the pivot table sheet if it is not already open.
3. In the side panel, next to **Rows** or **Columns**, click **Add** and choose a field.
4. Next to **Values**, click **Add** and choose the value to see.
5. To change how data is listed, sorted, summarized or filtered, click the **Down Arrow** next to that field.

**Group dates by month:** right-click a cell with date formatted data, click **Create pivot date group**, and choose a period. To undo it, right-click and choose **Ungroup pivot items**.

**Filter it:** click the **Edit** button under the pivot table, then next to **Filters** click **Add**.

**See the rows behind a number:** double-click a cell in the pivot table to open a new sheet with its source rows.

The pivot table refreshes whenever its source cells change. Sheets may also offer suggested pivot tables; you can turn these off under **Tools > Suggestion controls**.

Example: rows = Category, values = Amount gives an expense total per category, similar to the Tax Summary tab in ProfitDrawer workbooks.

- Source: [Create & use pivot tables: Google Docs Editors Help](https://support.google.com/docs/answer/1272900)
- Updated: 2026-10-29
- Published: 2026-10-29
- Category: Google Sheets and Excel how-tos
- Canonical: https://profitdrawer.com/answers/how-do-i-make-a-pivot-table-in-google-sheets.html
- Publisher: ProfitDrawer (https://profitdrawer.com)