I often review analyst reports on companies. Those reports are, more often than not, overkill on information. Picture it this way. Think of the Bose ad where the speakers blow the hair back of the guy sitting in a chair.
People who know me know that I have a love/hate relationship with Excel. Excel is a great tool but it is often misused causing more work than less work.
Pivot tables is one of those areas where it "Excels". If you don't know pivot tables, they are well worth the time to learn.
