P1.4: Working Within PowerPivot- Excel 2013

Hello Reader. Here we explore the data model using PowerPivot in Excel 2013 with the Chapter 1 AdventureWorks workbook from the Ferrari PowerPivot book.

Working in PowerPivot

So far we have used Excel to create and manage PivotTables and data models. To utilize the advanced features of PowerPivot, we will interact with the data model through PowerPivot. Begin by opening the worksheet with the data model made in Post 2, and in the PowerPivot tab, click on Manage Data Model.

Fig. 1: Manage Data Model Button under PowerPivot Tab

A PowerPivot window appears, showing the Data View of the data model with the loaded tables in the model highlighted on the bottom left of Figure 2. You can browse through the elements in the tables of the data model in this view.

Fig. 2: PowerPivot Data View

To understand the data model from a graphical point of view, click the Diagram View button at the top of Figure 2. There is also a toggle button at the lower right hand corner to toggle between views. The Diagram View displays the tables and their relationships so you can clearly assess which tables are linked together. In Figure 3, relationship arrow starts at the source table, Sales, and ends at SalesManagers, the target table.

Fig. 2: Diagram View

Clicking on the arrow will highlight the the tables linked through the relationship and also the field within the tables which links them together.

Fig. 4: Highlighted Relationship of Tables

Later, you will learn how to modify the data model using the Diagram View in PowerPivot.

Thanks for reading,
Wayne