How to Fix “Cannot Group That Selection Pivot Table” Error

Have you ever tried grouping data in a Pivot Table, only to see the annoying message: “Cannot Group That Selection Pivot Table”? You’re not alone. This is a common error in Excel, and it usually pops up when something in your data isn’t quite right. Even if you're working with dates, numbers, or blank cells, Excel can get picky.

Do not worry anymore. This post will present you the step by step process to fix the “Cannot Group That Selection” error.

Part 1. What Is “Cannot Group That Selection” And How Does This Happen?

The error “Cannot Group That Selection” shows up in Excel when you're trying to group data in a Pivot Table (like dates or numbers), but Excel can’t do it. This usually means there's a problem with the data you selected. Here are the most common reasons why:

• Blank cells in your selection.
• Text values mixed with numbers or dates.
• Invalid dates that Excel doesn’t recognize.
• Different data types are in the same column.

The good news? Once you know what to look for, fixing it is simple—and we’ll show you how.

Part 2. 5 Quick Fixes for “Cannot Group That Selection Pivot Table” Error

Getting the “Cannot Group That Selection Pivot Table” error can be annoying, especially when you're in a hurry to sort your data. The good news? Whether it's a hidden blank cell, the wrong data type, or an OLAP Pivot Table setting, a quick check can solve it.

Here are 5 efficient ways to fix the error. Each one targets a common cause, so you can get back to grouping your data without stress. Let’s explore each troubleshooting method one step at a time.

Make Sure It’s Not an OLAP Pivot Table

Before anything else, check if your Pivot Table is based on OLAP (Online Analytical Processing) data.

Excel lets you create two types of pivot tables: standard and OLAP (Online Analytical Processing). OLAP Pivot Tables have different rules and often don’t support grouping the same way regular Pivot Tables do. If you're using data from an external connection like a Power Pivot model, Excel might block you from grouping. Switching to a standard Pivot Table can solve the issue right away.

To avoid this, try creating a standard pivot table instead:

Step 1: Select carefully your Pivottable data and click the Insert tab.

Step 2: Click PivotTable. Pick from Table/Range or External Data Source.

Step 3: Seek Add this data to the Data Model and uncheck. Then, tick OK.

Now, try grouping items again in your pivot table.

Look for Invalid Dates

If you're using a standard pivot table and still can't group your data, the issue might be an invalid date in your dataset.

For example, February 29, 2017, is not valid because 2017 wasn’t a leap year. Even if it looks like a proper date, Excel sees it as invalid—and this can cause the "Cannot Group That Selection" error.

Here’s how to find and fix invalid dates:

Step 1: Link a new Excel column next to your date column.

Step 2: In the new column, type this formula in the first row:

=D2+1 (replace D2 with your actual date cell).

Step 3: Press Enter and if they are truly invalid, it will show #VALUE!.

Step 4: Fix any cells showing #VALUE!.

Step 5: Refresh pivot table cell. You should now be able to group the dates without problems.

Check for Text in Date/Number Fields

Excel expects consistency. If you're grouping numbers or dates but one cell contains text, it throws everything off. This mix of data types is a common cause of the “Cannot Group That Selection Pivot Table” error. A fast fix is to filter or scan the column and replace any text with valid numbers or dates.

Here’s how to find and fix it:

Step 1: Press the column header of the data you're checking. Open Home and click Find & Select.

Step 2: Choose Go To Special.

Step 3: Find Constants, then tick only the Text box.

Step 4: Click OK, and Excel will highlight any text entries. Now, replace any text values with proper numbers or dates.

Finally, go back to your pivot table, right-click any cell, choose Refresh, and try grouping again.

Find Hidden or Fake Blank Cells

Blank cells usually don’t cause issues when grouping. But if an Excel cell looks empty and contains something like " (an empty string from a formula), the program won’t treat it as truly blank, and that can cause the “Cannot Group That Selection” error.

Here’s how to find and fix them:

Step 1: Open the column header to select your data and choose Go To Special.

Step 2: Click Blanks, then hit OK.

Step 3: Excel will highlight real blank cells. If any cells look blank but aren’t highlighted, they’re not truly blank.

Step 4: Delete their contents manually. Then, go back to your pivot table, right-click any cell, select Refresh, and try grouping again.

Look for Error Values

Sometimes, the issue isn't a blank or text; it’s an actual error like #N/A, #VALUE!, or #DIV/0! These error values can prevent grouping in Pivot Tables. Scan your data for any error codes and fix or remove them before trying to group again. Once they’re gone, the Excel app should let you group without any issue.

Here’s how to find and fix them:

Step 1: Press Go To Special and select Formulas.

Step 2: Check Errors and OK.

Step 3: Fix the errors and select Refresh. Now, try grouping your data again.

You can’t miss:

Pivot Table Field Name Is Not Valid? 6 Troubleshoots!

How to Fix Excel “PivotTable Report Cannot Overlap” Error

Part 3. The Advanced Way for Cannot Group That Selection Issue

Tried all the basic fixes but am still getting the “Cannot Group That Selection” message related to Pivot Tables? Don’t worry, there’s still hope.

If your Excel document is damaged or corrupted, the issue might be deeper than just blank cells or wrong formats. In that case, using a reliable repair tool can help.Repairit Excel Repair is designed to scan, fix, and recover broken Excel files without losing your data.

With just a few clicks, Repairit can clean up your file and restore full Pivot Table functions. It’s a great option when nothing else seems to work.

Repairit is a powerful tool that can:

• Fix unreadable, unopenable, or broken Excel files immediately.
• Works with various Excel file formats: .xlsx, .xls, .xlsm, .xltx, .xltm, .xlsb, .csv, and even Mac Numbers.
• Retrieve the Excel app formulas, pivot tables, charts, macros, hidden sheets, and formatting.
• Troubleshoot numerous Excel documents at one time with batch repair.
• Deliver a 95.2% success rate for Excel file repair.

How to maximize Repairit to fix your Excel file? Learn the steps below:

Step 1: Access Repairit Excel File Repair and click More Types Repair and File Repair.

Hit Add to input carefully your damaged Excel files. You can even add other file types (PDF, Word, PowerPoint) for batch repair.

Step 2: Press Repair to scan and fix your Excel files. A text prompt will pop up showing how many were repaired. You can track progress or cancel anytime.

Step 3: After the Excel file repair, click Preview to check each file. Click Save All to export everything at once.

Conclusion

The “Cannot Group That Selection Pivot Table” error in Excel may seem frustrating, but simple data issues cause it. By checking for these common problems and following the step-by-step fixes in this guide, you can get your pivot table working smoothly again. And if nothing else works, tools like Repairit Excel File Repair offer a reliable way to recover and restore your Excel files quickly.