Connect Slicers to Multiple Excel Pivot Tables

STEP 1: Create 2 Pivot Tables by clicking in your data set and selecting Insert > Pivot Table > New Worksheet/Existing Worksheet

Setup Pivot Table #1:

 

ROWS: Region

VALUES: Sum of Sales

 

Setup Pivot Table #2:

 

ROWS: Customer

VALUES: Sum of Sales

 

STEP 2: Click in Pivot Table #1 and insert a MONTH Slicer by going to PivotTable Tools > Analyze/Options > Insert Slicer > Month > OK

 

STEP 3: Click in Pivot Table #2 and insert a YEAR Slicer by going to PivotTable Tools > Analyze/Options > Insert Slicer > Year > OK

 

 

STEP 4: Right Click on Slicer #1 and go to Report Connections(Excel 2013, 2016, 2019 & Office 365)/PivotTable Connections (Excel 2010) > “check” the PivotTable2 box and press OK

 

STEP 5: Right Click on Slicer #2 and go to Report Connections(Excel 2013, 2016, 2019 & Office 365)/PivotTable Connections (Excel 2010) > “check” the PivotTable1 box and press OK

 

Now as you select each Slicer’s items, both Pivot Tables will change!

Troubleshooting Common Slicer Connection Issues

Navigating Challenges in Slicer-Pivot Table Integration

When trying to link a slicer to multiple pivot tables, it’s common to run into a few head-scratchers. Maybe the slicer isn’t influencing all your intended tables, or perhaps it’s acting up entirely. To smooth things over, start by double-checking that all pivot tables originate from the same data source or are connected through the Power Pivot Data Model. If they’re not, you’ll want to bridge that gap first.

Next up, peek under the hood of your slicer by right-clicking and selecting ‘Report Connections’. This will reveal all the pivot tables your slicer could be influencing. Make sure every table you want controlled by the slicer is checked off. And remember, if your setup still isn’t slicing and dicing as it should, you might need to unlink and relink your tables to the slicer, ensuring each table is refreshed and ready to go.

Ensuring Smooth Operation with Proven Solutions

For seamless operation, consistent refreshes are your best friend. If you’ve linked a slicer to several pivot tables, remember to refresh them all after every significant data update. This can prevent a lot of mismatch and confusion.

Always be on the lookout for good housekeeping practices. For instance, a tidy Excel workbook minus any unnecessary formatting or non-essential data eases the burden on the slicer. And, optimizing your data layout with clear, concise headers helps the slicer understand exactly what it’s dealing with.

What if you try everything, and those pivot tables are still throwing a tantrum? Check your named ranges. Occasionally, named ranges can become the invisible tripping wire that prevents slicers from connecting correctly with pivot tables. By ensuring named ranges are accurately defined and applied, you’ll put the odds back in your favor.

Frequently Asked Questions About Excel Slicers and Pivot Tables

What is a slicer in excel?

A slicer in Excel is a visual tool that lets you filter pivot tables, charts, or tables with the simple click of a button. It’s perfect for when you need to break down a hefty dataset into more digestible pieces, without the need to navigate complex menus or deal with intricate settings. Picture it as a shortcut that makes it a breeze for you and others to view only the parts of the data that matter most at any given moment.

How Do I Connect a Slicer to Several Pivot Tables?

Connecting a slicer to several pivot tables can be done in a few straightforward steps. After inserting a slicer connected to one pivot table, you can easily extend its influence to others. Right-click on the slicer and select ‘Report Connections’ or ‘Pivot Table Connections’, depending on your Excel version. In the dialog box that pops up, you’ll see a list of all pivot tables in your workbook. Here, simply check the boxes next to the pivot tables you wish each slicer to control, and press ‘OK’. Voila! Your slicer will now apply its filter across all selected pivot tables, enabling a synchronized data experience.

Can I Customize Slicer Options for Different Pivot Tables?

Absolutely! Each slicer comes with a suite of customizable options to tailor the look and feel for different pivot tables. This means you can adjust colors, button styles, and even how many columns of buttons appear in the slicer for improved readability and match your workbook’s aesthetic.

Fine-tune your slicer’s settings by selecting it and navigating to the Slicer Tools Options tab on the Excel ribbon. Here you can craft unique styles or pick from Excel’s gallery of built-in designs. And for those extra-special touches, remember, you can customize things further such as the visually distinctive “tabs” effect, by tinkering with border and fill colors that echo your pivot table headers.

How to link two PivotTable filters?

Linking two PivotTable filters so they work in tandem is a nifty Excel feature. To set it up, you’ll want to establish a connection using slicers as your go-to tool. Here’s how:

1. Insert a slicer by clicking on one PivotTable, choosing the ‘Insert Slicer’ option from the ‘Analyze’ or ‘PivotTable Analyze’ tab.
2. Select the fields for which you want to synchronize the filters.
3. Right-click on the slicer, go to ‘Report Connections’, and then tick the boxes for the PivotTables you wish to link.
4. Do the same for the second PivotTable, ensuring you’re using the same slicer for your chosen fields.

Now, when you adjust the filter on one slicer, both PivotTables will respond accordingly, showcasing the same slice of data. It’s a must for comparative analysis and keeping your reports consistently focused.