If the data is all numeric, then you get "Sum of". If you have any non-numeric
(including spaces), you get "count of".

Maybe you could record a macro that builds the pivottable the way you like.

Or you could use a utility from Debra Dalgleish that can do this (and lots
more):
http://www.contextures.com/xlPivotAddin.html

Jorge wrote:

By default, pivot tables summarize data by "Count". Is there a way to set the
default as "Sum", which seems to be more widely used.

--

Dave Peterson