Excel can be a bit sneaky when it comes to automatic sorting in PivotTables. Here's how you can prevent it:

Using the Sort Dialog Box:

1. Click on the field you want to control sorting for: In your PivotTable, click the arrow next to the row or column label you want to prevent automatic sorting on. (For example, click the arrow next to "Salesperson" in the rows if you don't want automatic sorting there).
2. Access Sort Options: From the dropdown menu, choose "Sort A to Z" (or "Sort Z to A" depending on the current sort). This will actually trigger the sorting you don't want, but it opens the door to changing it.
3. More Sort Options: At the bottom left corner of the "Sort" dialog box you'll see a button labeled "More Options." Click this button.
4. Uncheck Automatic Sorting: In the "More Sort Options" window, find the checkbox labeled "Sort automatically every time the report is updated." Uncheck this box to disable automatic sorting.
5. Choose Your Sort Order (Optional): While you're here, you can define a custom sort order for this field if you want it sorted differently.
6. Click OK: Click "OK" on both the "More Sort Options" and "Sort" windows to confirm your changes.

Using PivotTable Options (For Excel 2016 and Earlier):

Unfortunately, Excel 2016 and earlier versions don't have the option to directly disable automatic sorting within the Sort dialog box. Here's an alternative approach:

1. Right-click the PivotTable: Locate your PivotTable and right-click anywhere within it.
2. PivotTable Options: From the context menu, select "PivotTable Options."
3. Go to Tools and Filters: In the "PivotTable Options" window, click on the "Tools and Filters" tab.
4. Uncheck "Use custom lists when sorting": Find the checkbox labeled "Use custom lists when sorting" and uncheck it. This will prevent automatic sorting based on any custom sort lists you might have applied in the past.
5. Click OK: Click "OK" on the "PivotTable Options" window to confirm the change.

By following these steps, you can take control of automatic sorting in your PivotTables and ensure they display data in the order you prefer!