Forum Discussion
Grouping in Pivot Table
Hello, I have created a Pivot table and am trying to group it. However, I am getting a message of "Can't group the data". Though the option is appearing somehow, it does not function in my system....
Take a look at this:
- Mixed Data Types
Grouping (especially by date or number) requires consistent data types.
- Fix: Check the source column for mixed types (e.g., text + numbers or blank cells).
- Use =ISTEXT() or =ISNUMBER() to test cells.
- Convert all entries to the same type or remove problematic rows.
- Blank or Empty Cells
Empty cells in the grouping column can block the operation.
- Fix: Fill blanks with dummy values or remove them.
- Use Go To Special → Blanks to find and fill them quickly.
- Non-Date Values in Date Column
- Fix: Format the column as Date and check for errors.
- Use =ISDATE() or try sorting the column — invalid dates won’t sort properly.
- Data Source Not Refreshed
- Fix: Right-click the Pivot Table → Refresh
- Calculated Fields or Items
Grouping doesn’t work on calculated fields.
- Fix: Group only raw fields from the source data.