What is a pivot table used for?

A pivot table is a powerful tool used primarily for summarizing and analyzing data in spreadsheets. It allows users to reorganize and aggregate large sets of data based on specified categories or fields. This capability enables the extraction of meaningful insights from raw data without the need to write complex formulas.

When using a pivot table, you can group data, calculate sums, averages, counts, and perform various aggregations, all of which help to uncover trends and patterns. This functionality is particularly useful in scenarios where you need to compare various aspects of your data, such as sales figures across different regions or performance metrics across different time periods.

While the other options refer to useful spreadsheet features, they don't capture the primary purpose of a pivot table. For instance, creating visualizations from raw data is more aligned with charting tools, linking sheets involves spreadsheet references and functions, and formatting for printing pertains to layout adjustments rather than data analysis. Hence, the focus on summarizing and analyzing data distinguishes the pivot table as an invaluable resource for data manipulation and interpretation.