XL2000: PivotTable Report Unavailable with Parameter Query

If you are returning data to Microsoft Excel from an external data source, the PivotTable Report option may be unavailable (dimmed or grayed out) in the Returning External Data to Microsoft Excel dialog box.

If you create a PivotTable and then try to get external data using a parameter query, you may receive the following message:

This behavior occurs when you return data that is based on a parameter query. In Excel 2000, parameter queries are not allowed in queries for PivotTables.

If you want to create a PivotTable report from external data, do not use a parameter query.

To work around this behavior, follow these steps:

1. If you want to create a PivotTable report from external data, first use a parameter query to retrieve your external data, and then return the data to Excel.
2. On the Data menu, click Pivot Table and Pivot Chart Report, and then follow the wizard.

A parameter query is a type of query that, when run, prompts you for criteria that is used for the result set. For example, a query that returns information about employee salaries may use a parameter for the employee's name. Based on the name you provide, a different result set is returned.

To create a parameter query, in the Microsoft Query Criteria pane, type a text string that is surrounded by square brackets [] in the Value field for the field to which you want to apply the parameter.

NOTE: Do not type the exact name of the field inside the square brackets.

A parameter (the text you type inside the square brackets) can be up to 255 characters and can contain any characters other than control characters or square brackets. You can use a parameter in expressions, and you can use more than one parameter in a single expression. For example, you can type the following parameter in the Date field:

For more information about parameter queries, click Microsoft Excel Help on the Help menu, type create a query that prompts for criteria in the Office Assistant or the Answer Wizard, and then click Search to view the topic.