So converting the data to a list enables you to differentiate between
subvalues within a column... Interesting. This definitely adds functionality
to a large quantity of data, and seems to solve most of my problem.

It also seems my subvalues are superfluous for a Pivot Table, but crucial
for a regular old data sort.

Thanks!!!

"Jon Peltier" wrote:

I think that pivot tables are the way to go.

Set up your data with columns for each field (Date, Vendor, Cost, Value Big,
Value Small) and one row per transaction. If you're using Excel 2003,
convert this table into a List (Data menu); if you're using Excel 2007,
convert the table to a Table. This conversion means that as the List or
Table expands, the pivot table source will also expand. You still need to
refresh the pivot table to see the added data.

Make a pivot table of this data. Drag the pivot fields around until you get
what you need. Your first bullet requires Value Small in the Rows area, and
Sum of Cost in the Data area. The other bullets require other arrangements;
make another pivot table for each, or copy the first and paste it elsewhere.

You can make pivot charts or regular charts from the pivot tables:

http://pubs.logicalexpressions.com/P...cle.asp?ID=553

- Jon
-------
Jon Peltier, Microsoft Excel MVP
Tutorials and Custom Solutions
Peltier Technical Services, Inc. - http://PeltierTech.com
_______


"That70sHeidi" wrote in message
...
I have been playing with this since 8:30 this morning, and I'm done. I need
help.

Goal:
Sort bank statement information by date and/or two self-assigned sort
values
and see totals for various sort types.

Data:
Date
Vendor Name
Cost
Value Big assigned as Budget Priority (numbers 0 -8 for Food, Groceries,
Bills, Rent, etc.)
Value Small is a Vendor Assignment (letters A - U: pizza, Cost Cutters,
drug
store, Snapfish) within Value Big.

Example? Burger King is a "0" Budget Priority (Big) with "B" as a Vendor
Assignment (Small).

Desired Outputs:
. Pie chart showing all of Value Smalls broken out by total cost (amount
spent at Burger King, Eckerd, gasoline, for the complete time period)
. Pie chart showing Value Big, broken out by month (amount spent in June
on
Food, Bills, etc)
. Chart showing Value Big, as percentage of total expenses for
month/quarter
(Food was 50% of debit card purchases in month of July)
. Bar chart comparing two Value Big over three month period, delineated
(Food vs. Misc Expenses, side by side, for June, July and August)
. Descending chart showing Value Small for specific Value Big for each
month
(amount of each Groceries entry (multiple entries) for June, July August).

In addition, as if this weren't enough, I'd really like my chart(s) to
update dynamically as I add in future bank statements and code in my
subvalues.

Problem:
Assigning the additional 'descriptor' values to my vendors doesn't really
link the data together, it just provides a way for me to sort and stare at
the data. I want to be able to say "Let's see all the Priority 0 items
sorted
by Value Small in a graphical representation, with totals." Or, in a
larger
sense, I'd like to say "Let's see how my Food Value compares to my Bills
Value for the last two months." Or maybe something like "Let's see in
which
month I ate at Burger King (a Value Small within Value Big) the most."

I've examined the use of Pivot tables and maybe that's what I need to use,
but I can't figure out how to organize my data so that I can USE it.
Thoughts? Is this even possible or should I resign myself to making 80
small
charts for each view I come up with?