Count unique distinct values in an Excel Pivot Table
I have a small problem that I am not sure on how to solve.
I now have a list of 15 cells with 3 unique values (arr formula in all 15 cells). When I use this into a pivot table, I want to get the count as 3 since that is the unique count. But I am getting 15 as the value!
I am assuming that the pivot table is reading the formula as a value and counting it. Any way to circumvent that?
Answer:
Update: It is now possible to count unique distinct values in a Pivot Table. You need Excel 2013 or a later version.
I don´t think it is possible to count unique values in a pivot table unless you add another column to your table or use VBA: Improve your Excel Pivot Table to count unique values or items
Formula in D3:
Copy cell D3 (Ctrl + c). Paste (Ctrl+ v) on cell range D4:D17.
Setup pivot table
- Click and drag Array formula to Row Labels
- Click and drag Count to Values
How the formula in cell D3 works
Step 1 - Construct the COUNTIF function
COUNTIF(range,criteria) counts the number of cells within a range that meet the given condition.
Select cell D3.
Type =COUNTIF(
Select cell range C3:C17
Press F4. You have now created absolute cell references to cell range C3:C17.
=COUNTIF($C$3:$C$17
Now create a relativ cell reference to cell C3.
=COUNTIF($C$3:$C$17, C3)
=COUNTIF($C$3:$C$17, C3)
becomes
=COUNTIF({"AA"; "AA"; "AA"; "BB"; "BB"; "BB"; "BB"; "BB"; "BB"; "BB"; "BB"; "CC"; "CC"; "CC"; "CC"}, "AA")
and returns 3. There are three AA in the array.
Step 2 - Divide 1 with the number of counted values
=1/COUNTIF($C$3:$C$17, C3)
becomes
=1/3
and returns
0.333333333333333 in cell D3.
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Welcome! I am 
This is a simple and beautiful solution! Thanks!
great idea! thank you
Hey Thank you so much, really effective and simple solution.
thanks for the help