Microsoft KB Archive/161540

= XL97: PivotTable Report Unavailable with Parameter Query =

Article ID: 161540

Article Last Modified on 10/22/2000

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Excel 97 Standard Edition

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This article was previously published under Q161540





SYMPTOMS
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.



CAUSE
This behavior occurs when you return data that is based on a parameter query.



RESOLUTION
If you want to create a PivotTable report from external data, do not use a parameter query.



STATUS
This behavior is by design of Microsoft Excel.



MORE INFORMATION
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]

