Pivot Table Not Populating Correctly

[Chris]

I run a pivot table with data downloaded from the web but
today for some reason the pivot table will not populate
correctly. After I create the table, I try to drag over
a variable "cost" and it populates every cell as '1' and
rather than labeling the column "cost", it labels
it "count of cost". I can see from the worksheet that it
is taking the data from that the cost is correct but for
some reason the table will not populate with it. Why is
this happening and what can I do to fix it and prevent it
from happening again?

Thanks,
Chris

 

[DDM]

Chris, from what you describe it sounds like the pivot table is treating the
data in the Cost column as text. You might try first removing the Cost field
from the table, then converting the data, so: Select and copy an empty cell
somewhere on the sheet with the data, then select the Cost column and Edit >
Paste Special > Add > OK. Then try adding the Cost field back into the pivot
table. Hope this helps.