Customize Your Excel Pivot Table Field List

The Excel Pivot Table Field List helps you build and modify your pivot tables quickly. But you don’t have to stick with its default settings! See how to change the Pivot Table Field List settings, so it works best for your needs.

Video: Customize the Pivot Table Field List

In this short video, I show how you can adjust the pivot table field list settings.

Move it, change its width, sort the fields, and more!

There are written steps and tips below the video.

Step 1: Open the Field List

To see the pivot table field list, follow these steps:

Select any cell in your pivot table.
The Pivot Table Field List should appear automatically.
It shows all the fields from the source data
It has four drop zones, where you can put the fields:
- Filters, Rows, Columns, and Values.

Step 2: Change the Layout

Instead of using the default layout for the pivot table field list (shown above), you can choose a different layout.

To pick a different layout, follow these steps:

First, click the Tools drop-down arrow, near the top of the field list.
When the drop-down list opens, click on the layout you want to use:
- Top/Bottom: This is the default layout, with field names at the top, and areas below.
- Side-by-Side: Field names are in a narrow column at the left, with the four “drop” areas stacked at the right.
  - I use this layout most of the time, especially if field names are short, or there is a long list of fields.
- Single Section: Show the field list only, or the areas only
  - I rarely use either of these layouts

Step 3: Resize the Field List

Instead of leaving the field list at its default size, you can adjust its width,

Point to the left border of the field list.
When the resize pointer appears, drag the border, to make the list wider or narrower.

Step 4: Float the Field List

Instead of leaving the field list at the the right side of the worksheet, you can move it to a different location

To move the field list, follow these steps:

First, point to the title area, at the top of the field list.
When the move pointer (four-headed arrow) appears, drag the field list onto the worksheet.

The field list becomes a floating pane you can place anywhere.

Tip: You can even move the field list off the worksheet, or onto another monitor, to make more room on the worksheet

Put the Field List Back

When you’re finished with the floating field list, you can move it back to the side of the worksheet, and dock it there

To dock it back at the side, double-click the title area and it locks back in place.
Or, drag the field list to the left or right side of the worksheet, so it’s half-way off the sheet
It should automatically snap in place, in the docked position

Step 5: Sort the Fields

From the same tools drop down arrow, choose how the fields are listed:

Data source order (the original order from your table).
A to Z (alphabetical). This is handy when you have a long list and want to find a field quickly.

Quick Tips

If you have short field names and many fields, try the side-by-side layout to see more at once.
Float the field list when working on a small monitor so it doesn’t cover your pivot table.
Sort A to Z to speed up finding a field in long lists.
Experiment with all the settings, to find what feels best for you