XL: Error Message Grouping Data in PivotTable

ID: Q115471

The information in this article applies to:

• Microsoft Excel for Windows, versions 5.0, 5.0c
• Microsoft Excel for the Macintosh, versions 5.0, 5.0a
• Microsoft Excel for Windows NT, version 5.0
• Microsoft Excel for Windows 95, versions 7.0, 7.0a
• Microsoft Excel 97 for Windows

SYMPTOMS

When you attempt to group items in a PivotTable, you may receive the following error message:

   Cannot group that selection.

CAUSE

A PivotTable range containing a blank row is interpreted as an incorrect data type and, therefore, Microsoft Excel does not allow you to group the data.

WORKAROUND

To group the data in the PivotTable, follow these steps:

1. Remove all blank rows from the PivotTable data range.

2. Do the following to refresh the PivotTable:

    a. Select any item in the PivotTable.

    b. On the Data menu, click Refresh Data.

MORE INFORMATION

To group data in a PivotTable, follow these steps:

1. Select a range of data in the PivotTable.

2. On the Data menu, point to Group And Outline, and then click Group.

The items are then grouped according to similar items, such as dates or times. However, when a blank row occurs in the PivotTable data range, the data cannot be grouped. A blank row is interpreted as a null value, which cannot be included as part of the grouped data.

Additional query words: 97 7.00 5.00 database XL97 XL7 XL5

Keywords          : kberrmsg kbdta xlpivot 
Version           : WINDOWS:5.0,5.0c,7.0,97; MACINTOSH:5.0
Platform          : MACINTOSH WINDOWS
Issue type        : kbprb

Last Reviewed: January 8, 1999