How to Maintain Accurate Subtotals When Your Data Set Expands in Size

Subtotal in Excel 2010 Table

Subtotal in Excel 2010 Table

This is Part 2 of my series of video tutorials demonstrating how to use the SUBTOTAL Function in Excel.

  • In Part 1, I showed you the value of using the Subtotal Function to summarize the results of applying a Data Filter to a range of cells.
  • In this part, I show you how to use an Excel 2007 or Excel 2010 Table to ensure that your Subtotal Formulas are automatically updated when you append records or add additional fields to your original data set.

I strongly recommend basing Filtered Lists and Pivot Tables on an Excel Table (in Excel 2007 or 2010) or an Excel List in Excel 2003. This way, any formulas, filters and references that you make will be automatically updated when you append additional records or otherwise change the structure of your data set.

Function Numbers 101 through 111

Notice that when you “toggle on” the Total Row for a Table or List that Excel uses this formula = SUBTOTAL(109, Table1, [Sales]). Function 109 will use the SUM Function(109) to total the values in the “Sales” field ([Sales]) of a Table named “Table1.” These Function Numbers + 100 were introduced in Excel 2003 and the are automatically applied whenever you are using a Total Row in an Excel Table.

I think that you will learn some cool tricks in this lesson. Let me know what you think!

Watch This Video in High Definition

Click on this link to watch this video tutorial in High Definition, Full Screen Mode on my YouTube Channel – DannyRocksExcels.

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Don’t Subtotal Excel Data, Use Subtotal Function Instead

Subtotal Function

Subtotal Function Numbers

I used to love creating Subtotaled Reports. They are useful. They are easy to create. But they are also “clunky.” In my opinion, there are too many steps to take when you wish to see a Subtotal for a different field or to use a different function in your Subtotals.

Let me introduce you to the Subtotal Function in Excel. Here are several ways to take advantage of this function:

  • You can place the Subtotal Function in any cell on your worksheet – it does not have to reside directly below your data field.
  • You can use the Subtotal Function in connection with Data Filters – to get the subtotal for the visible cells in a filter.
  • You can use any of the 11 functions available to the Subtotal Function (Sum, Average, Count, etc.)

Watch This Video in High Definition on YouTube

This file size for this video is a little bigger than usual. So, to watch it, click on this link to view it in High Definition Mode on YouTube.

Subtotal Function Part Two

I have decided to film a second video lesson on the topic of the Subtotal Function – Using Subtotal Function in Excel Tables and Lists. Click on this link to watch my second video on this topic.

Watch or Download My 24 minute Introduction to Pivot Tables Video Recording

I have started to posted a series of “extended length” video tutorials online at: http://thecompanyrocks.webex.com – Follow this link to get more information about viewing or downloading my “free” Introduction to Pivot Tables.”

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