ID: Q161540
The information in this article applies to:
If you are returning data to Microsoft Excel from an external data source, PivotTable Report may be dimmed in the "Returning External Data to Microsoft Excel" dialog box.
This behavior occurs when you return data that is based on a parameter query.
If you want to create a PivotTable report from external data, do not use a parameter query.
This behavior is by design of Microsoft Excel.
A parameter query is a type of query that, when run, prompts you for criteria that is used for the result set. For example, a query that returns information about employee salaries may use a parameter for the employee's name. Based on the name you provide, a different result set is returned.
To create a parameter query, in the Microsoft Query Criteria pane, type a text string that is surrounded by square brackets [] in the Value field for the field to which you want to apply the parameter.
NOTE: Do not type the exact name of the field inside the square brackets.
A parameter (the text you type inside the square brackets) can be up to 255 characters and may contain any characters other than control characters or square brackets. You can use a parameter in expressions, and you can use more than one parameter in a single expression. For example, you can type the following parameter in the Date field:
>=[Start Date] AND <=[End Date]
For more information about parameter queries, click the Index tab in Microsoft Excel Help, type the following text
parameter queries
Additional query words: 97 grey greyed dimmed
Keywords : kbtool kbualink97 xlquery xlpivot
Version : WINDOWS:97
Platform : WINDOWSLast Reviewed: November 1, 1998