What is the primary use of a pivot table in Excel?

The primary use of a pivot table in Excel is to summarize large amounts of data. Pivot tables are powerful tools that allow users to quickly aggregate and analyze data from a spreadsheet without altering the original dataset. They can be used to calculate sums, averages, counts, and other statistics based on the specific criteria set by the user, providing insights into the data by displaying it in a structured format.

By dragging and dropping fields into different areas of the pivot table interface, users can dynamically change how the data is organized and viewed. This capability makes pivot tables especially useful for decision-makers who need to extract meaningful information from complex datasets with minimal effort. The interactive nature of pivot tables allows users to explore data from different angles, enhancing their ability to make data-driven decisions.