How to Fix Excel “PivotTable Report Cannot Overlap” Error

Among many valuable features of MS Excel, the PivotTable is used for data analysis, allowing massive datasets to be quickly summarized and interpreted. However, despite being useful, you can run into issues while dealing with pivot tables. One such most common issue is the "A PivotTable report cannot overlap another PivotTable report" error. If you are unsure of how to solve this error on your Excel spreadsheet, then read the article for detailed solutions. In this article, we have included the typical reasons for the error to occur so you can apply the right solution.

Part 1: What Are Common Causes For "A pivot table report cannot overlap another pivot table report" Error

The “PivotTable Report cannot overlap” error occurs when a PivotTable attempts to expand into a range already occupied by another PivotTable or existing data. This overlap prevents the Pivot Table from updating or refreshing. However, to resolve the error it is important to understand all the possible causes to apply the right solutions.

Following are some of the most common reasons for the "A pivot table report cannot overlap another pivot table report" error:

• Same cell range: If you try to make two pivot tables use the same area of your spreadsheet, they'll fight for space.
• Hidden columns: Even if you can't see them, hidden columns can still get in the way of a pivot table expanding.
• Preserve formatting: Sometimes, telling Excel to keep the Pivot Table's look exactly as it is can stop it from resizing properly.
• Corrupted macros: If you're using a macro (a little program) to change your pivot table and that macro is broken, it can cause errors.
• Workbook.RefreshAll: If you're using a command that refreshes all your data, and it's not working right, it can lead to overlaps.
• Too many items: If your pivot table has so much information that it needs more space than is available, it will throw this error.
• Corrupt PivotTable: The pivot table itself could be an issue if it has become corrupted.
• Duplicate column names: If two columns have the same name, it can confuse Excel and cause overlap issues.

Part 2: Easy Solutions for the Error "Excel PivotTable Report Cannot Overlap"

As previously stated, if the field in the pivot table has exceeded the maximum number of items, you will encounter an overlapping issue with the pivot table. In Excel, a field can include up to 1,048,576 items.

However, you can avoid this error by checking the cell fields in your pivot table. Also, ensure that each column's label is unique and look for hidden columns in the Data view. Additionally, to resolve this, ensure sufficient space between PivotTables, either by adding columns/rows or moving them to separate sheets.

Note: Here are the effective methods to fix the Excel error “pivot table report cannot overlap”:

Fix 1: Using Move PivotTable

The “PivotTable Report cannot Overlap” error often arises due to issues with the columns in the pivot table. To resolve this, you can move the pivot table to a new worksheet. Doing so will automatically adjust the column widths to suit the new sheet and create additional space, minimizing the chances of an overlap.

Step 1. Start by clicking any cell within your pivot table. Next, look at the top of Excel for the "Analyze" tab and click on it. Then, find and click "Move PivotTable."

Step 2. A window will appear. Select either "New Worksheet" if you want to move it to a blank sheet or "Existing Worksheet" if you want to place it somewhere else on this sheet. Finish by clicking "OK."

Fix 2: Disable Background Refresh

Background refresh, while designed for convenience, can sometimes cause issues, especially with large Excel files containing multiple pivot tables. If enabled, Excel automatically updates these tables in the background after every small change, potentially leading to performance problems and even warning messages. Therefore, if you suspect that the background refresh is contributing to your issue, disabling it can fix the error.

Step 1. In Excel, click the "Data" tab at the top. Then, click "Connections."

Step 2. In the "Workbook Connections" window, click the "Add" button and choose the Excel file you want to change.

Step 3. Once you have picked the file, click "Properties."

Step 4. In the "Connection Properties" window, uncheck the box that says "Enable background refresh." Also, check the box that says "Refresh data when opening the file." Click the "OK" button when you are done.

Fix 3: Disable Autofit Column Widths

Sometimes, Excel tries to be helpful by automatically resizing your pivot table columns. But this can cause the “PivotTable Report cannot Overlap” error. To stop this from happening, you will need to turn off the “Autofit column widths on update” setting.

Step 1. First, right - click anywhere inside your pivot table with your right mouse button and select "PivotTable Options" from the menu that pops up.

Step 2. In the "PivotTable Options" window, uncheck the box that says "Autofit column widths on update." Click "OK" to apply the changes to your Excel.

Fix 4: Using Repair Excel File

Sometimes, a damaged Excel file can cause the 'A PivotTable Report cannot Overlap' error. If you think your file is corrupted, Excel has a built - in tool called 'Open and Repair' that can help fix it.

Step 1. First, click "File" at the top of Excel and then click "Open."

Step 2. Click the "Browse" button to select the corrupted file. Find and select the Excel file that is showing an error message.

Step 3. Instead of just clicking "Open," click the little arrow next to the "Open" button, and then click "Open and Repair."

Step 4. When prompted with a pop-up window, click "Repair." When it's done, click "Close" on the message that pops up.

Fix 5: Check the Workbook.RefreshAll Method

Using the Workbook.RefreshAll method to update your pivot table data can sometimes result in the 'Excel PivotTable Report cannot Overlap' error. This often happens because the code lacks a proper link to the workbook being refreshed. To avoid this, carefully review your code and verify that the workbook object is correctly defined.

Step 1. First, open the VBA Editor in Excel by pressing “Alt + F11” on your keyboard.

Step 2. Find the VBA code that says “Workbook.RefreshAll”. This might be in a module, sheet code, or workbook code.

Step 3. Make sure the Workbook object is correctly defined. For example, it should be something like ThisWorkbook.RefreshAll or Workbooks("YourWorkbook.xlsx").RefreshAll. If it is just a Workbook.RefreshAll without specifying which workbook; could cause issues.

Part 3: Best Tool to Repair Corrupted or Damaged Excel Files Without Losing Data

If none of the solutions listed above resolve the problem, it means that the Excel file is severely corrupted. To solve this problem, use a professional Excel file repair application like Repairit File Repair. The program can effortlessly restore a highly corrupted Excel file and recover all of its objects, including pivot tables, macros, charts, and so on. In addition, the tool is available for both Windows and Mac systems and can help fix multiple file corruption in an easy-to-use interface.

Some of the key features of the Repairit File Repair application:

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• Repair damaged Excel files with all levels of corruption, including blank files, files not opening, unrecognizable format, unreadable content, files layout changed, etc.

• Repairs all kinds of data stored in damaged Excel files such as tables, charts, formulas, comments, images, etc.

• Support all formats of Excel files: XLSX/XLSM/XLTX/XLTM/XLS

• Perfectly repair corrupted files with a very high success rate, without modifying the original file.

• No limit to the number and size of the repairable files.

• Support Windows 11/10/8/7/Vista, Windows Server 2003/2008/2012/2016/2019/2022, and macOS 10.12~macOS 13.

• Except Excel, Repairit also supports all formats of PDF, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, ZIP, and Adobe files.

Step 1. Begin by installing and running the Repairit File Repair software on your machine. Then choose the "File Repair" option under the "Corrupted File Repair" section.

Step 2. Next, click the "+Add" button to import corrupted Excel files into the software. Now you can start the repair process.

Step 3. After the process is complete, save your repaired Excel files if you are satisfied with the results.

Conclusion

The "A pivot table report cannot overlap another pivot table report” error in Excel often arises when multiple pivot tables share the same data source, leading to simultaneous refreshes even when you intend to refresh only one. However, you can implement the solutions detailed in the article, such as adjusting refresh settings or disabling autofit column widths. Additionally, if you suspect file corruption, its built-in “Open and Repair” utility can be used. For more complex corruption scenarios, consider using a dedicated tool like the Repairit File Repair app, which offers a streamlined and efficient repair process.