pivot table

In recent versions of Excel 365 for Mac, the drag-and-drop behavior in PivotTables has regressed significantly compared to previous releases.

Specifically, when attempting to move a field from the Row or Column area into the Filter area, Excel often interprets the action as a removal rather than a relocation. This breaks the intuitive manipulation of Pivot layouts that has been standard for years.

Additional regressions include:

• Reduced responsiveness of the Field List pane
• Inconsistent behavior between older PivotTables (created in previous versions) and new ones
• Hidden or unavailable “Classic PivotTable Layout” options
• Lack of visual feedback when dragging fields between areas
• Increased reliance on context menus for basic layout changes
• Incoherence between Mac and Windows versions of Excel

These changes hinder productivity for advanced users who rely on fast, flexible layout adjustments.

Suggested improvements:

• Restore or make optional the classic drag-and-drop behavior
• Ensure consistent handling of field movements across all areas (Filter, Row, Column, Data)
• Improve visual cues and drop zones during field manipulation
• Guarantee parity between Mac and Windows versions

Excel’s PivotTable interface used to be a model of intuitive design. Please consider restoring that flexibility — especially for users who build and modify complex reports daily.