I frequently rename pivot table rows. For example in a row using a STATE column, I might rename values as follows: TX = Texas, CA = California, etc. Recently I had a pivot table using a DATE column and someone accidently renamed a date as text and the DATE column no longer sorts properly. How do I reset to default and tell the Pivot Table to undo any renamed row label values using the raw data as the row labels again?

select a good date field cell.

hit the 'format painter' button

select the non-sorting bad date field cell and hit the 'format painter' button again to make it match the rest of the column.  Then it should sort nice again.  

Let me know if I misunderstood your question, not sure if you are asking how to do it manually or programatic

Thanks - I'm trying to edit the pivot table manually. I tried reformatting as you described to no avail. I'm trying to figure out how get rid of all cutomized labels. See example below using Excel 2007. Table starts like this:

But then gets accidently edited to show like the one below. If you are not even sure what the label should have been how do you "undo" all customized labels and force the pivot table to read the data again to regenerate the default row labels?

Is there any particular reason why you are not editing the source data directly.   

Yes - the source data comes from an ODBC query of an enterprise system.

Gotcha, then make your changes as you have been and 'protect' them.

http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/how-to-protect-an-excel-2010-workbook.html

I'm aware of how to protect worksheets and workbooks but users need to be able to "refresh" the pivot table which updates data from the enterprise system and Excel 2007 does not enable you to refresh the pivot table while it is protected. I know I could add macros that "unprotect, refresh, protect" etc. which I have done on other reports - I just thought there would be an easy way to "reset" the pivot table back to the default row labels that get autogenerated from the source data which was my original question. Thanks again . . .

Since you require it to be editable by others, we are going to have to use 'Track Changes' settings.  Then you'll be able to 'revert' them after suzy from sales slips up.  

http://www.online-tech-tips.com/ms-office-tips/track-changes-in-excel/

Hi,

After reading the post and replies, I am a little confused.

You want to reset the Pivot table row label? If it is, then how do you want to reset?

And as the replies, I think you want to track the changes.

So would you please give me some screenshot and detail explanation to make me understand the requirement better?

Not sure if you found a more elegant solution, but was trying to figure this out myself and came across in Excel 2010 the "Clear list" under "Options" and then the "Actions" setting. So far have only been able to clear everything (though I think what I really want is the Custom Items) and that resets my row labels along with the pivot table, but at least doesn't mess up the pivot chart/slicer connection.

The overwritten row item can be refreshed by the following steps:

• Drag the row field out of the pivot table.
• Right click on the pivot table and select 'Refresh'.
• Drag the row field back onto the pivot table.

stackoverflow.com/questions/998185/excel-pivot-table-row-labels-not-refreshing

I am unable to get the altered row label values to revert to values from the database by removing the field and refreshing as you, GDAhern, suggest.  I am using Excel 2010 and am connected to an SSAS Cube as my datasource.  There are several Row Labels, Column Labels, Values and Report Filters all visible in the particular pivot table in use, hence my reservations about recreating it entirely.  I have several users that use these spreadsheets with the imbedded data connection and pivot table and the row labels are never intentionally overwritten.  Nevertheless, when it happens, I need some way to restore them, hopefully even one that can be taught to the users themselves.  I am frustrated now, because I haven't even found one way to do this, let alone an easy way.

This worked for me in excel from Office 2010 Professional Plus. but only if I refresh the pivot table before adding the offending column back in.

What I'm more interested in is to be able to see where the relationship between raw row label value from source data maps to the new custom row labels. That way I can benefit from the mapping work already done without having to destroy it to reverse engineer it. That relationship must be stored somewhere that perhaps a formula could reveal, if not a gui-based properties popup. I would expect to be able to right-click on the custom row label, select properties, and see the name mapping, just like I can for seeing the custom field name of the column of row headings.

• Edited by shift-f7' Wednesday, February 11, 2015 5:20 PM
• Proposed as answer by kaznoinam763 22 hours 50 minutes ago
• Unproposed as answer by kaznoinam763 22 hours 49 minutes ago

Found an answer to this one i think.

1. In PowerPivot tab, open the "Manage" function of Data Model.

2. Find the problem column in the data source.

3. Insert a column and make it equal to the Problem column.

4. Now go back to your Pivot and refresh it to find the Problem column and the duplicate column you just made.

5. Enter both fields into the pivot table and you will see the duplicate column has the original values while the Problem column maintains the problem labels.