Database Reference
In-Depth Information
How it works...
The recipe shows you how to update the data model and visualize the data using the Power-
Pivot functionality. The dataset you created with the Power Query add-in is further en-
hanced using the PowerPivot functionality.
The first exercise in this recipe is to ensure that all of the required data is available in the
dataset. There are different ways to get data in the data model. Using Power Query gives
you the option to merge data. Using calculation columns, you can also retrieve data from
other queries or data sources. This requires some knowledge of how to build your formula
(DAX).
You can use DAX to define custom calculations for calculated columns and calculated
fields (measures). DAX is
not
a programming language but a formula language. DAX
functions make it possible to create reports quickly and define complex data manipulations
in the data model. Many DAX functions have the same functionality and names as familiar
Excel functions. However, these functions have been modified to use DAX data types and
work with tables and columns.
Creating visualization is just a matter of dragging and dropping the data column names into
the area of the Pivot Table or PivotChart. The example in this recipe shows how you can
visualize logical free disk space in a Pivot Table and PivotChart.
