Get started with Power Pivot in Microsoft Excel

Power Pivot provides advanced data modeling features in Microsoft Excel. Use the resources below to learn about how you can use Power Pivot to help you gain new insights into your data.

Get started

  • Learn more about data analysis tools in Excel

  • Power Pivot: Powerful data analysis and data modeling in Excel

  • Start Power Pivot in Microsoft Excel add-in

  • Power Pivot keyboard shortcuts and accessibility

Data Modeling and Visualization Tutorials

  • Tutorial: PivotTable data analysis using a Data Model in Excel

  • Tutorial: Optimize your Data Model for Power View reporting

  • Get sample data for DAX and Data Model tutorials

  • Tutorial: Import Data into Excel, and Create a Data Model

  • Tutorial: Extend Data Model relationships using Excel, Power Pivot, and DAX

  • Tutorial: Create Map-based Power View Reports

  • Tutorial: Incorporate Internet Data, and Set Power View Report Defaults

  • Tutorial: Create Amazing Power View Reports - Part 1

  • Tutorial: Create Amazing Power View Reports - Part 2

Power Pivot Videos

  • Video: Set default fields in Power Pivot

  • Video: Hide columns and tables in Power Pivot

  • Video: Add descriptions to tables and columns in Power Pivot

  • Video: Relationships in Power View and Power Pivot

  • Video: Set the Power View default aggregation using Summarize By

Understand the Power Pivot Data Model

  • Create a Data Model in Excel

  • Create a memory-efficient Data Model using Excel and the Power Pivot Add-in

  • When to use Calculated Columns and Calculated Fields

  • Version compatibility between Power Pivot Data Models in Excel 2010 and Excel 2013

  • Upgrade Power Pivot Data Models to Excel 2013

  • Data Model specification and limits

  • Data types in Data Models

  • Freeze columns

Add Data

  • Get data using the Power Pivot add-in

    • Get data from a data feed in Power Pivot

    • Get data from Analysis Services

    • Get data from Microsoft Azure Marketplace

    • Get suggestions of related data from Microsoft Azure Marketplace

    • Import Data from a Reporting Services Report

    • Make changes to an existing data source in Power Pivot

  • Find out which data sources are used in a workbook data model

  • Filter the data you import into Power Pivot

  • Create a blank table in Power Pivot

  • Refresh imported data in Power Pivot

  • Troubleshoot linked tables

    Tip:  Power Query for Excel is a new add-in you can use to import data from many different source into your Excel workbooks and data models. Learn more at Microsoft Power Query for Excel Help.

Work with Relationships

  • Create a relationship between tables in Excel

  • Create relationships in Diagram View in Power Pivot

  • Delete relationships between tables in a Data Model

  • Troubleshoot table relationships

  • Work with Relationships in PivotTables

Work with Hierarchies

  • Hierarchies in Power Pivot

Work with Perspectives

  • Perspectives in Power Pivot

Work with Calculations and DAX

  • Understanding Calculations in Power Pivot

  • When to use Calculated Columns and Calculated Fields

  • Calculated Columns in Power Pivot

    • Create a Calculated Column in Power Pivot

  • Calculated Fields (aka Measures) in Power Pivot

    • Create a Calculated Field in Power Pivot

  • Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) in Power Pivot

  • Lookups in Power Pivot Formulas

  • Aggregations in Power Pivot

  • Recalculate Formulas in Power Pivot

  • DAX in Power Pivot

    • Quick Start: Learn DAX Basics in 30 Minutes

    • Context in DAX Formulas

    • Filter Data in DAX Formulas

    • DAX Operator Reference

    • DAX Function Reference

Tip:  The DAX Resource Center Wiki on TechNet provides an extensive number of articles, videos, and examples from BI experts.

Work with Dates and Time

  • Dates in Power Pivot

  • Understand and create date tables in Power Pivot in Excel

  • Time Intelligence in Power Pivot in Excel

  • Filter dates in a PivotTable or PivotChart report

Share your workbook

  • Save to SharePoint (Power Pivot)

  • Power Pivot for SharePoint 2013 on TechNet (for IT Pros)

Errors and Messages

  • Power Pivot error: Maximum Memory or File Size Exceeded

  • Power Pivot error: “Initialization of the data source failed

  • Power Pivot error: The workbook contains an unsupported Power Pivot model

  • Power Pivot error: “This workbook has a Power Pivot data model created using a previous version of the Power Pivot add-in.”

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