3 Easy Ways to Break Links in Excel Pivot Tables
If you’ve ever worked with Excel pivot tables, you may have encountered a situation where you need to break the links between the pivot table and its source data. Breaking links in Excel pivot tables is a crucial skill to have, especially when you want to share your pivot table with others or move it to another workbook without the need for the original data source.
In this article, we’ll explore the various methods you can use to break links in Excel pivot tables, ensuring that your pivot table remains functional and independent.
What are Pivot Table Links?
When you create a pivot table in Excel, it establishes a link to the source data from which it derives its information. This link allows the pivot table to update automatically whenever changes are made to the underlying data source. While this dynamic connection is often beneficial, there are situations where you may want to break the link and make your pivot table static.
The link between a pivot table and its source data is established through the use of references. When you create a pivot table, Excel stores a reference to the range of cells that contain the source data. This reference enables the pivot table to fetch the data and update itself whenever the source data changes.
It’s important to note that the link between a pivot table and its source data is not a two-way connection. Changes made to the pivot table itself will not affect the source data. The link only allows the pivot table to reflect the changes made to the source data.
Why Break Pivot Table Links?
There are several reasons why you might want to break the links in your Excel pivot table:
- Sharing the Pivot Table: If you need to share your pivot table with others who don’t have access to the original data source, breaking the link ensures that the pivot table remains functional and self-contained. This is particularly useful when you want to send the pivot table via email or share it on a network drive without worrying about the availability of the source data.
- Moving the Pivot Table: When you want to move your pivot table to another workbook or sheet, breaking the link allows you to do so without worrying about the availability of the source data. This is handy when you want to reorganize your workbooks or consolidate multiple pivot tables into a single file.
- Preserving a Snapshot: Sometimes, you may want to capture a specific snapshot of your pivot table data at a particular point in time. Breaking the link ensures that the pivot table remains static and doesn’t update when the source data changes. This is useful when you need to preserve historical data or create a backup of your pivot table.
- Improving Performance: If you have a large dataset and your pivot table is linked to the entire range, it can slow down the performance of your Excel file. By breaking the link and creating a static version of the pivot table, you can improve the overall performance and responsiveness of your workbook.
Methods to Break Links in Excel Pivot Tables
Now that we understand the importance of breaking links in Excel pivot tables, let’s explore the different methods you can use to achieve this.
Method 1: Copy and Paste Values
One of the simplest ways to break the link between a pivot table and its source data is to copy and paste the pivot table as values. Here’s how you can do it:
- Select your pivot table.
- Right-click and choose “Copy”.
- Right-click on a new cell where you want to paste the pivot table.
- Select “Paste Special” from the context menu.
- In the Paste Special dialog box, select “Values” and click “OK”.
By pasting the pivot table as values, you effectively break the link to the source data, and the pivot table becomes static. This method is quick and easy, but it does have a few drawbacks. Firstly, you lose the ability to interact with the pivot table fields and filters. Secondly, any formatting applied to the pivot table may be lost when pasting as values.
Method 2: Using the Pivot Table Options
Another way to break the link in an Excel pivot table is by using the Pivot Table Options. Follow these steps:
- Click anywhere inside your pivot table.
- Go to the “Analyze” tab in the ribbon (or “Options” tab in older versions of Excel).
- Click on the “Options” button.
- In the Pivot Table Options dialog box, go to the “Data” tab.
- Uncheck the box that says “Save source data with file”.
- Click “OK” to apply the changes.
By unchecking the “Save source data with file” option, you break the link between the pivot table and its source data. This method preserves the interactivity of the pivot table, allowing you to continue using the pivot table fields and filters. However, it’s important to note that if you refresh the pivot table after breaking the link using this method, it will try to reconnect to the source data.
Method 3: Creating a Copy of the Pivot Table
If you want to preserve the original pivot table while creating a static version, you can make a copy of the pivot table. Here’s how:
- Select your pivot table.
- Go to the “Analyze” tab in the ribbon (or “Options” tab in older versions of Excel).
- Click on the “Select” button and choose “Entire Pivot Table”.
- Press “Ctrl + C” to copy the selected pivot table.
- Navigate to a new worksheet or workbook where you want to paste the copy.
- Right-click on a cell and select “Paste Special”.
- In the Paste Special dialog box, select “Values” and click “OK”.
By creating a copy of the pivot table and pasting it as values, you break the link to the source data for the copied version while preserving the original pivot table. This method allows you to have both a dynamic and a static version of your pivot table, giving you the flexibility to work with whichever version suits your needs.
Best Practices for Breaking Links in Pivot Tables
When breaking links in Excel pivot tables, there are a few best practices to keep in mind:
- Create a Backup: Before breaking the link in your pivot table, it’s always a good idea to create a backup of your workbook. This ensures that you have a fallback option in case something goes wrong or if you need to revert to the original pivot table.
- Choose the Right Method: Consider your specific requirements when choosing the method to break the link in your pivot table. If you need to preserve interactivity, using the Pivot Table Options method might be more suitable. If you want a completely static version, copying and pasting values would be the way to go.
- Document Your Steps: If you’re working on a shared workbook or collaborating with others, it’s important to document the steps you took to break the link in the pivot table. This helps others understand the changes made and ensures transparency in your workflow.
- Test the Broken Link: After breaking the link in your pivot table, it’s crucial to test it thoroughly. Make sure that the pivot table functions as expected, and the data is accurately preserved. Verify that any formatting or calculations dependent on the pivot table are still intact.
- Consider Alternatives: Breaking links in pivot tables is not always the best solution. In some cases, you might want to consider alternatives like using a static data source (e.g., a copied range of the source data) or creating a separate workbook specifically for sharing the pivot table. Evaluate your needs and choose the approach that best fits your workflow.
Final Thoughts
Breaking links in Excel pivot tables is a valuable skill that allows you to share, move, and preserve your pivot tables independently of their source data. By using methods like copying and pasting values, adjusting pivot table options, or creating a copy of the pivot table, you can easily break the links and make your pivot table static.
Remember to follow best practices such as creating backups, choosing the right method, documenting your steps, testing the broken link, and considering alternatives when necessary. By doing so, you’ll ensure a smooth and efficient workflow when working with pivot tables in Excel.
FAQs
Can I break the link in a pivot table without losing the original data?
Yes, you can create a copy of the pivot table and break the link in the copied version while preserving the original pivot table and its source data.
What happens if I need to update a pivot table with broken links?
If you need to update a pivot table with broken links, you’ll have to recreate the pivot table using the updated source data, as the broken link prevents automatic updates.
Will breaking the link in a pivot table affect the source data?
No, breaking the link in a pivot table does not affect the source data. The source data remains intact and can be used for other purposes or to create new pivot tables.
Can I break the link in a pivot table and still maintain the formatting?
When you break the link and paste the pivot table as values, you may lose some of the formatting. However, you can reapply the desired formatting to the static pivot table as needed.
Is it possible to reconnect a pivot table with broken links to its source data?
Once you break the link in a pivot table, it becomes static and cannot be reconnected to its source data automatically. If you need to update the pivot table, you’ll have to recreate it using the updated source data.
Vaishvi Desai is the founder of Excelsamurai and a passionate Excel enthusiast with years of experience in data analysis and spreadsheet management. With a mission to help others harness the power of Excel, Vaishvi shares her expertise through concise, easy-to-follow tutorials on shortcuts, formulas, Pivot Tables, and VBA.