# pivot_index function

The `pivot_index` function can be used in [table calculations](https://docs.cloud.google.com/looker/docs/table-calculations) to extract and manipulate the value of a pivoted column based on its index (in other words, its position).

## Syntax

**`pivot_index(expression, pivot_index)`**

The `pivot_index` function evaluates `expression` in the context of the pivot column at the position `pivot_index` (1 for first pivot, 2 second pivot, etc.) The function returns null for unpivoted results.

## Examples

The following table shows a query that counts the number of orders made in each season of the year. The query includes a pivoted dimension, **Products Category** , which has the values `Swimwear` and `Coats`. To compute the total number of orders made in each season across all categories, create a **Total Orders Count** table calculation.

| Products Category | Swimwear | Coats | Total Orders Count |
| Season | Orders Count | Orders Count | Total Orders Count |
| Winter | 3 | 671 | 674 |
| Spring | 278 | 120 | 398 |
| Summer | 840 | 21 | 861 |
| Fall | 30 | 432 | 462 |
|---|---|---|---|

The **Total Orders Count** table calculation adds the value of the first pivot column to the value of the second pivot column. The formula is:

    pivot_index(${orders.count}, 1) + pivot_index(${orders.count}, 2)

## Things to know

`pivot_index` cannot be used in a [custom filter](https://docs.cloud.google.com/looker/docs/filtering-and-limiting#custom-filters).