XL2000: Error Message: "Cannot Group that Selection" (214026)



The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Excel 2000

This article was previously published under Q214026

SYMPTOMS

In Microsoft Excel 2000, when you attempt to group items in a PivotTable, you may receive the following error message:
Cannot group that selection.

CAUSE

A PivotTable range containing a blank row is interpreted as an incorrect data type, and therefore Excel does not allow you to group the data.

WORKAROUND

To work around this issue, follow these steps:
  1. Remove all blank rows from the PivotTable data range.
  2. To refresh the PivotTable, follow these steps:
    1. Select any item in the PivotTable.
    2. On the Data menu, click Refresh Data.

MORE INFORMATION

To group data in a PivotTable, follow these steps:
  1. Select a range of data in the PivotTable.
  2. On the Data menu, point to Group and Outline, and then click Group.
The items are then grouped according to defining similarities, such as dates or times. However, when a blank row occurs in the PivotTable data range, the data cannot be grouped. A blank row is interpreted as a null value, which cannot be included as part of the grouped data.

Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:9/26/2003
Keywords:kberrmsg kbprb KB214026