software

I track work hours by task. There are over 500 tasks that I have created a
workbook for that I have a sheet for the employee, then I put in hours and
task number into columns for each day. SImple enough, then I have another
sheet that takes the hours associated to the task number and puts it in the
list of over 500 tasks. The question / problem is, I don't like or want to
have to look through all 500 tasks to see the total of hours for each one.
THere are usually only about 20 used in a given day, so I see alot of zeroes.
I have created another sheet/tab that has the days of the week in a row , and
a column for tasks. I am wondering if I can somehow have excel sort out the
zeroes and create a list of tasks that have hours on them. Compile or
whatever, Ive looked into pivot tables but Im not sure if thats the best way.
I could email the file, but it is 25mb. Please help.