Microsoft KB Archive/191020

= XL98: Error Message "PivotTable Field Name Is Not Valid" =

Article ID: 191020

Article Last Modified on 9/11/2002

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Excel 98 for Macintosh

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This article was previously published under Q191020





SYMPTOMS
In Microsoft Excel 98 Macintosh Edition, when you create a new PivotTable or refresh data for an existing PivotTable (by clicking Refresh Data on the Data menu), you may receive the following error message:

The PivotTable field name is not valid. To create a PivotTable, you must use data that is organized as a list with labeled columns. If you are changing the name of a PivotTable field, you must type a new name for the field.



CAUSE
This problem occurs when the first row of the range from which the PivotTable is attempting to pull data contains one or more empty cells.



RESOLUTION
To resolve this problem, use either of the following methods.

Method 1
Modify the first row so that it does not contain any empty cells.

Method 2
Change the range the PivotTable references to a range where the first row does not contain empty cells. To change or to determine the range an existing PivotTable references, do the following:
 * 1) Select a cell within the PivotTable.
 * 2) On the Data menu, click PivotTable Report.
 * 3) Click Back to display the "PivotTable Wizard - Step 2 of 4" dialog box.
 * 4) The current range for the PivotTable is displayed. Edit the source data range.
 * 5) Click Finish.

