Changing column Order in a pivot table

Question

Hi...I imported a csv file from a report generator tool into excel.  I then created a pivot table except that I have the columns ordered by fiscal quarter spanning two fiscal years so the table has both Q1 2011 and a Q1 2012... The pivot table is ordering them alphabetically so I have Q1 2011 then Q1 2012 then Q2 2011 etc...

I've tried relabeling the fields in the flat file so the alphabetical order makes sense chronologically but when I create the pivot table it uses the original lablels???

Anyone know how to change the order of pivot table columns?

Thanks,

Gary

Answer 1

*Solved*

I have the same issue as above (even carried over to 2016) and I've found a simple solution.

If you click the column heading you want to move and then hover over the edge of the cell and click/hold. You should see a faint, thick vertical line appear meaning you can drag that column to the part of the pivot table you want it in. (See screenshot)

Answer 2

Since this was posted Microsoft has updated their website so these links lead no where. Any chance these could be updated? 

Craig

Answer 3

Unfortunately links can expire. I deleted Adam's answer and re-activated this question so we can get a fresh answer. - Moderator

Answer 4

That's odd. In theory, a CSV would be unable to contain anything other than the text of the column headers. Excel would be unable to re-generate old headers that aren't there.

When you import, do you use the import wizard? (Data > Get External Data > Import Text File)