How to delete a calculated field in a pivot table in Excel

You can watch a video tutorial here.

Pivot tables are one of the most useful tools in Excel for summarizing and analyzing data. Pivot tables are built on datasets and maintain a link to the dataset. Apart from using the columns in the underlying dataset, you may create a calculated column that is built on one of the underlying columns. You may decide to later delete the calculated field as it is no longer relevant. You can either remove it from the pivot table display or delete the field altogether so that it is no longer a part of the pivot table structure.

Option 1 – Delete from the display

Step 1 – Open the Field List

  • Select any cell in the pivot table
  • Go to PivotTable Analyze > Show 
  • Click on the Field List button

Step 2 – Remove the field

  • Uncheck the field

OR

  • Expand the dropdown adjoining the field and select Remove Field

Step 3 – Check the result

  • The field is removed from the display
  • The field still appears in the Field List

Option 2 – Delete the field from the pivot table structure

Step 1 – Open the Insert Calculated Field box

  • Select any cell in the pivot table
  • Go to PivotTable Analyze > Calculations
  • Expand the Fields, Items, & Sets dropdown
  • Click on Calculated Field

Step 2 – Delete the field

  • Select the calculated field from the Name: dropdown
  • Click Delete

Step 3 – Check the result

  • The calculated field is removed from the display and the list of fields