Evaluation and Youth Work
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Pivot Tables
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Pivot Tables
Has anyone tried using pivot tables to analyze program data in spreadsheets? What are some pros and cons? (Using Spreadsheets in Program Evaluation Module 3 Discussion Topic)
Sonya Howard discussion post response:
Apart from this course, I haven’t actually had a chance or need to use pivot tables in order to analyze program data in spreadsheets. I keep meaning to teach myself how to do it using online resources, and this course is an excellent opportunity to try it.
I don’t really know the pros and cons of using pivot tables, beyond those mentioned in the lectures for the YouthREX course, Using Spreadsheets in Program Evaluation. One pro seems to be a quicker way of focusing in on and analyzing the data you may be most interested.
I am aware that there are some cloud-based tools, like Airtable, that may be perhaps more robust than a spreadsheet and that has some database-like functionality. From the minimal exposure I’ve had to Airtable, it seemed to take things perhaps a step further than pivot table, and allows the user to customize and program it even more. As robust as Airtable is, it does seem to take a lot of work and planning on the front end to develop the table exactly how you need. It also seems to involve a bit of a mental shift from 2-D spreadsheet to more of an almost 3-D view of connecting data across worksheets and databases (if that makes any sense.) It also costs money with an annual subscription (I believe) to set up and use (beyond perhaps a possible free smaller version; I’m not sure), but I think data can be imported up from Excel or Google Sheets into Airtable and exported back out again into a spreadsheet or possibly database format.
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Airtable is an excellent tool for project management. I haven’t explored the chart options, but I bet it will be more of a 3D feel in connecting data than excel 2D.
I hadn’t explored pivot tables before this program, but this program introduced them to me. I still struggle to grasp how to use it primarily based on the type of data I keep.
Perhaps when I have more quantitative data that needs quick presentation in a digestible manner, I can use it. I can see the pros, mainly as discussed in the video.The cons could be that it doesn’t work for all types of data, i.e. quantitative, and it can be complex to get the desired diagram/presentation unless one can use third-party design software to get the desired outlook.
In the primary time, I will keep learning and practising.
At the moment, the Pivot table wouldn’t intimidate me anymore.
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