Microsoft finally fixes the worst thing about Excel’s pivot tables

Microsoft has finally addressed one of the longstanding issues with Excel's pivot tables by introducing an "Auto Refresh" function in a new beta version of the software. This feature automatically updates the pivot table when changes are made to the underlying data, eliminating the need for manual clicks to refresh the table. The new Auto Refresh function is enabled by default in the Beta Channel (Version 2506 Build 19008.2000 or higher), ensuring that any updates to the source range, such as new sales entries or corrections, are instantly reflected in the pivot table. However, the feature is a per-data source property, and users won't be able to see updates for changes to external data sources connected to the workbook. While the new Auto Refresh capability is a welcomed improvement, Excel still has some limitations compared to rivals like Google Sheets, which can automatically update pivot tables when new cells are added outside the current table's range. Nevertheless, this update from Microsoft is expected to greatly benefit data analysts and Excel users who rely on pivot tables to summarize and analyze their data.