Google Sheets Adds Drag-and-Drop Pivot Table Controls for Excel Imports

In recent months, Google has rolled out a series of updates and add-ons for Sheets and improved support for pivot tables, according to Android Authority. The latest change is intended to make it easier for users to manipulate pivot tables directly in Sheets.

Previously, Sheets reverted pivot tables imported from Excel to a standard alphanumeric sort order, Android Authority reported. With the change, any custom sort applied in Excel carries over to Sheets. Exporting a Sheets file to an Excel spreadsheet also maintains the exact sorting order of pivot tables, so users can move between the two applications without losing their custom arrangement.

Users can drag and drop rows or columns in pivot tables to reorder data and better meet custom presentation requirements directly within Sheets, the report said. They can also select multiple rows or columns to quickly reposition data within a pivot table. For more complex pivot tables with expandable and collapsible sections, the update maintains data hierarchy: when a row or column is moved, Sheets automatically moves any nested child items with it to preserve the structure.

Sheets will also preserve custom row and column arrangements across browser sessions, layout adjustments, and data refreshes. That means users can rearrange their pivot tables as needed without losing custom sorting if they close the browser and return to the document later, or if they add new data to the table.

The new features are rolling out in Google Sheets starting today, but the full rollout could take up to 15 days, according to Android Authority. They will be available to all Google Workspace customers and users with personal Google accounts.