How to Use Built-in Functions of Pivot Tables in Google Sheets

Google Sheets’ Pivot Table is a powerful feature that allows the user to condense huge datasets into a few meaningful values that are important in data analysis. Pivot Tables, by default, calculate the SUM of the values in its columns.

In this guide, we will learn how to change the calculated value from SUM to a wide range of functions that are built-in to Google Sheets’ Pivot Table.

Click here to learn how to create a pivot table in Google Sheets.

How to change the Pivot Table column’s function from SUM to a different function

The procedure is straightforward. On the Pivot table editor, look at the list of columns under the Values label. Look for the column that you want to change, then click the drop-down box with the label Summarize by.

*The listed column under the Values, with the SUM function set for summarizing the values.*

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List of built-in functions

Listed below are the built-in functions that you can use in the Pivot Table.

SUM: adds all the values.
PRODUCT: multiplies all the values. Be careful! The value may exceed the estimated number of atoms in our universe!
COUNT: counts the number of values, ignoring non-numeric values.
COUNTA: counts the number of values.
COUNTUNIQUE: counts the number of unique values.

*A Pivot Table showing columns with SUM, COUNTA, COUNT, COUNTUNIQUE, and PRODUCT functions.*

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AVERAGE: adds all the values, then divides it by the number of values.
MIN: searches all the values, then selects the smallest value.
MAX: searches all the values, then selects the largest value.
MEDIAN: arranges all the values from lowest to highest, then selects the values at the center.

You can check our tutorial on AVERAGE and MEDIAN to learn more about how these functions work.

*A Pivot Table showing columns with AVERAGE, MAX, MIN, and MEDIAN functions.*

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STDEV: calculates the standard deviation of the values, treating it as a sample of a bigger set of values.
STDEVP: calculates the standard deviation of the values, treating it as the entire set of values.
VAR: calculates the variance of the values, treating it as a sample of a bigger set of values.
VARP: calculates the variance of the values, treating it as the entire set of values.

Both the standard deviation and the variance are specialized quantities. Read our tutorial on these quantities to get started.

*A Pivot Table showing columns with STDEV, STDEVP, VAR, and VARP functions.*

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None of these fit your needs?

If none of the functions listed here give you the quantity that you need, you can program a custom formula to the Pivot Table. Click here to learn how to program a custom formula to the Pivot Table.