If multiple people within your company need access to one pivot table, you might run into problems. As a result, the data presented in a database-driven pivot table is both real-time and secure. With the database-driven option, it’s stored in your own database. With Google docs, it’s stored on Google’s servers, which is better for accessibility but not for security. The question for you: Where is that data stored? With Excel, that data is often stored in multiple locations, depending on how many people it was sent to. Pivot tables are usually used to summarize important business data. However, a database-driven pivot table works just fine on any device, since it’s web-based and not limited by the device on which it’s being run. With Google Docs, the pivot table option isn’t even available on their mobile version.

Device supportĭo you need to access and/or edit your pivot tables on a smartphone or tablet? With Excel, you could most likely view a pivot table on your smartphone with the right app, but don’t plan on editing anything. Millions of rows shouldn’t be a problem using this method. Because the calculations are performed at the database level, you’re only limited by the amount of rows your database can handle and your database server capabilities. For comparison’s sake, database-driven pivot tables don’t have such limitations. Since calculations are performed on the device itself, an underpowered computer with very little memory would have trouble with pivot tables containing large amounts of data. Secondly, Google’s pivot tables–and Excel’s pivot tables to a lesser degree–are limited by the device on which they’re being run. For comparison’s sake, current versions of Excel can hold 1,000,000 rows, while previous versions were limited to 66,000 rows. For instance, if each row has 10 columns, Google will limit you to 40,000 rows. It’s important to note that this is a cell limit, not a row limit. First, their spreadsheets have a 400,000 cell limit. How much data do you need to analyze? If you’re dealing with a high volume of data, Google’s pivot tables have a couple of factors going against them. They’re both accessed in one central location, so there’s never a question as to which version is correct. On the flip side, database-driven web pivot tables and Google’s pivot tables are accessible via the web. How easily is your pivot table accessed or shared with others? Excel stumbles in this area, as spreadsheets are typically shared via email…often leading to security issues or version confusion. So, which one is best for your business? The best way to answer that question is to take a look at how each option compares in 5 key areas: 1.

With Google’s foray into pivot tables, we now have 3 legitimate pivot table options. A couple of weeks ago, Google announced some big news: Google Docs now has pivot tables! I know what you’re thinking: How is this different than other pivot table options, such as those found in Excel? Are they right for business? I’d like to help you answer these questions.įirst, how does this differ from other pivot table options? Before we answer that question, we must first answer this question: What are the other options? Before Google pivot tables came around, there were 2 main approaches to pivot tables: Excel pivot tables and database-driven web pivot tables (like those created with m-Power).

Ms access pivot table