Google Sheets is making pivot tables easier to navigate with a new compact form layout that reduces horizontal scrolling when working with large datasets. The update gives users another way to organize multi-level pivot tables, keeping related information together in a single column instead of spreading row fields across multiple columns.

Announced on October 28, 2026, the new feature introduces two layout options directly within the pivot table editor: Outline form and Compact form.

With Outline form, each row field appears in its own separate column. This can be useful when users want to inspect individual fields independently, but it can also make larger pivot tables considerably wider, particularly when working with multiple levels of grouped data.

Compact form takes a different approach. It places all row fields into a single column, using indentation to communicate the hierarchy between different levels. Users can also expand or collapse individual groups through inline controls, making it easier to navigate complex pivot tables without constantly scrolling horizontally.

The addition should be particularly useful for spreadsheets containing several layers of categories, subcategories, and other grouped information. Instead of dedicating an entire column to every row field, users can keep the hierarchy together in a more space-efficient presentation.

Better compatibility with Microsoft Excel pivot tables

Beyond the new layout option, Google is also improving how Sheets handles pivot tables imported from Microsoft Excel.

Previously, importing an Excel spreadsheet containing a compact-form pivot table into Google Sheets automatically converted the layout to Outline form. This could change how the original pivot table was organized, requiring users to adjust its presentation after importing the file.

With the latest update, Google Sheets preserves the original compact layout during import. The same layout is also maintained when the spreadsheet is exported back to Excel.

This is a useful improvement for people who regularly move spreadsheets between Google’s productivity suite and Microsoft’s Excel, as it reduces unnecessary formatting adjustments and helps maintain consistency across both applications.

Availability and rollout

The compact form layout is available to all Google Workspace customers, Workspace Individual subscribers, and users with personal Google accounts. There is no administrator control that needs to be enabled to access the feature.

Google is rolling it out gradually, with different schedules for its release channels.

For Rapid Release domains, the rollout began on October 22, 2026, with feature visibility expected to take up to 15 days. Scheduled Release domains will begin receiving the update on November 6, 2026, also following a gradual rollout of up to 15 days.

Users can access the new layout directly through the pivot table editor in Google Sheets and switch between Outline form and Compact form depending on how they want their data displayed.

The update is a relatively small addition, but it addresses a practical spreadsheet problem. For anyone regularly working with large pivot tables, having a more compact way to organize hierarchical data can make spreadsheets easier to read and navigate.