PivotTables VIII: “Defer Layout Update”, or adding multiple fields in one fell swoop

re: PivotTables VII: “Defer Layout Update”, or adding multiple fields in one fell swoop

Prasad — Thu, 22 Dec 2005 22:38:57 GMT

David,

I suppose "Hold Data binding" button with enabling and disabling would be more opt there instead of "Defer Layout Update" which could also be substituted with a phrase "Apply changes later". An image to signify the changes have not been applied, in the excel sheet would be more intutive for the user, to understand that the change has not yet been applied.

re: PivotTables VII: “Defer Layout Update”, or adding multiple fields in one fell swoop

Roy — Thu, 22 Dec 2005 22:42:58 GMT

I vote for calling it "Update PivotTable with Changes" and reversing the chechmark so that when enabled (as by default) the pivot would update on each change. And when disabled, the user would have to push the Update button.

re: PivotTables VII: “Defer Layout Update”, or adding multiple fields in one fell swoop

Rickard Olsson — Fri, 23 Dec 2005 02:01:49 GMT

Great job done. First time for long putting some really heavy efforts into pivot tables, thanks! And of course our wish list is much longer than that, we have been waiting since Excel 97.... Next year there will be a new Christmas, we are looking forward to.
Happy Christmas to all of you from Sweden.

re: PivotTables VII: “Defer Layout Update”, or adding multiple fields in one fell swoop

Ed Bott — Fri, 23 Dec 2005 05:34:53 GMT

Shouldn't this actually be part VIII? I could swear I already saw part VII yesterday, under the title "PivotTable VII: – Conditional formatting gets even better, or visualizing your data in PivotTables."

(The dangers of Roman numerals...)

re: PivotTables VII: “Defer Layout Update”, or adding multiple fields in one fell swoop

Dave Solimini — Fri, 23 Dec 2005 06:18:17 GMT

I agree with Roy -- the logic should be reversed. But you should think of the OUTCOME rather than the command... results oriented wording would help here: "Update layout changes immediately."

Also, the button and the checkbox should be more clearly related. Maybe put them under an "update options" headline and put the button closer to the left rather than right-justifying it.

Generally, the whole task pane should have more clearly delineated "regions." section headings could be followed by hard lines or something similar to better group the controls. As it stands, you can't really tell if the "update" button refers to the Values list or the whole pane, or just the checkbox.

Also, users may feel more comfortable playing with a feature that is already enabled -- they "already know what it does," at least in some general sense.

re: PivotTables VII: “Defer Layout Update”, or adding multiple fields in one fell swoop

Dave Solimini — Fri, 23 Dec 2005 06:18:31 GMT

re: PivotTables VII: “Defer Layout Update”, or adding multiple fields in one fell swoop

Gary — Fri, 23 Dec 2005 07:18:20 GMT

maybe Enable (Auto or Pivot) Updates or Disable (Auto or Pivot) Updates, depending on how you want to default the behavior.

re: PivotTables VII: “Defer Layout Update”, or adding multiple fields in one fell swoop

Jon Peltier — Fri, 23 Dec 2005 15:26:28 GMT

In Excel 97-2003, you achieve this delayed update effect by using the Layout feature of the Wizard. Will this still be available as an alternate technique?

re: PivotTables VII: “Defer Layout Update”, or adding multiple fields in one fell swoop

Murray — Fri, 23 Dec 2005 19:54:09 GMT

Maybe it could be consistent with Calculation. "Manual" Update versus "Automatic" Update.

And I like the concept.

re: PivotTables VII: “Defer Layout Update”, or adding multiple fields in one fell swoop

Tianwei — Fri, 23 Dec 2005 20:20:30 GMT

Agree with Murray: instead of creating a new checkbox to hold calculation that might be forgotten, integrate it with the general manual vs auto calculate.

However, based on the fact that most users of the pivottables are somewhat on an expert level, I propose an "available-on-the-go" option: when moving fields followed by a delayed click release (or double click) it informs Excel that the update should be held until an F9 is pressed. This deferred button release operation is very commonplace in consumer electronics. Usually when operation is recognized the button will flash or something like that.

re: PivotTables VII: “Defer Layout Update”, or adding multiple fields in one fell swoop

Jean Martineau — Sat, 24 Dec 2005 06:23:54 GMT

I like Gary's idea: Enable (Auto or Pivot) Updates.
I also like Tianwei's suggestion: Usually when operation is recognized the button will flash or something like that.

re: PivotTables VII: “Defer Layout Update”, or adding multiple fields in one fell swoop

Shane — Mon, 26 Dec 2005 19:38:44 GMT

David, I know this comment is a little off the topic, however, I want to add a very positive comment about your blogs. I have been following the Word and PowerPoint blogs along with yours, for 4 months and there is no comparison! You take these blogs seriously, you actually provide us with useful information and lots of it. There have been promises on the other blog about what they will be telling us about the new features, but those promises go unfulfilled.
My congradulations to you!

Shane Devenshire

re: PivotTables VII: “Defer Layout Update”, or adding multiple fields in one fell swoop

Biff — Tue, 27 Dec 2005 07:43:09 GMT

I agree with Shane.

David's doing an excellent job!

However, no matter how much you improve Pivot Tables, I'll (probably) still loathe them! <g>

A little off topic... OWC? EWS?

Eric — Tue, 27 Dec 2005 22:58:32 GMT

David,
Thanks for all of the detailed information concerning the new features of Excel 12... I concurr with the others who praise you on your dilligent blogging to keep everyone up to date on these great new features.

Just out of curiousity, is Excel Web Services going to replace Office Web Components? (seems they cover the same basic concept of "Publishing spreadsheets"). If you have any news on this, it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Eric

re: PivotTables VII: “Defer Layout Update”, or adding multiple fields in one fell swoop

Brandon Bloom — Thu, 29 Dec 2005 09:59:02 GMT

Would it be possible to perform updates in the background? Instead of the check box, when an item is clicked, show a progress bar in its place and in another thread update the pivot table. Cancel the update and start over if the user changes something else. This would eliminate the need for the user to press "Update" when they are done and eliminates waiting more than once.

re: PivotTables VII: “Defer Layout Update”, or adding multiple fields in one fell swoop

David Gainer — Fri, 30 Dec 2005 02:08:53 GMT

Howdy folks

Thanks for all the great feedback on the feature. Once we have a final design, I will let you know.

Ed, yes, this is part VIII thanks for catching that. I will update things accordingly.

Jon, the wizard will still be available in the “tool well” for those that want to use it, though I much prefer the new design.

Biff, it is only a matter of time :-)

Eric, one thing we have heard from customers is that they want their in-browser experience to be thin, so we are providing that with Excel Services.

Brandon, that is an interesting idea, but probably out of scope for Excel 12.