Transform your skills, data, and business—with the power user’s guide to PowerPivot for Excel. Led by two business intelligence (BI) experts, you’ll learn how to create and share your own BI solutions using software you already know and love: Microsoft Excel. Discover how to extend your existing skills, using the PowerPivot add-in to quickly turn mass quantities of data into meaningful information and on-the-job results—no programming required. The book introduces you to PowerPivot functionality, then takes a pragmatic approach to understanding and working with data models, data loading, data manipulation with Data Analysis Expressions (DAX), simple-to-sophisticated calculations, what-if analysis, and PowerPivot patterns. Learn how to create your own, “self-service” BI solutions, then share your results effortlessly across your organization using Microsoft SharePoint®.
A Note Regarding the CD or DVD
The print version of this book ships with a CD or DVD. For those customers purchasing one of the digital formats in which this book is available, we are pleased to offer the CD/DVD content as a free download via O'Reilly Media's Digital Distribution services. To download this content, please visit O'Reilly's web site, search for the title of this book to find its catalog page, and click on the link below the cover image (Examples, Companion Content, or Practice Files). Note that while we provide as much of the media content as we are able via free download, we are sometimes limited by licensing restrictions. Please direct any questions or concerns to booktech@oreilly.com.
Microsoft® PowerPivot for Excel® 2010
and over one million other books are available for Amazon Kindle. Learn more
| ||||||||||||||||||
Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From the Author
We have been working with PowerPivot since its early releases and, as all the new products, it requires some training to be used to its full potential. We wrote a book for end users who want to master PowerPivot, providing many examples and patterns to solve the typical business problems, which sometimes require solutions that are not easy to implement. You will be able to use this book both as a quick reference for common patterns and to learn how PowerPivot works and how to model your data in the good way.
About the Author
MARCO RUSSO is a software consultant and trainer based in Italy who focuses on Windows development and Business Intelligence solutions, including data warehouse relational and multidimensional design. He is the coauthor of Introducing Microsoft LINQ and Programming Microsoft LINQ (Microsoft Press), along with several other books about Microsoft .NET and SQL Server Analysis Services.
ALBERTO FERRARI is a consultant and trainer for the BI development area with the Microsoft suite for Business Intelligence. His main interests are in the methodological approaches to the BI development and works as a trainer for software houses that need to design complex BI solutions.
Alberto and Marco recently co-authored "Expert Cube Development with Microsoft SQL Server® 2008 Analysis Services" published by Packt Publishing and the "SQLBI Methodology". They are also the founders of SQLBI (sqlbi.com).
ALBERTO FERRARI is a consultant and trainer for the BI development area with the Microsoft suite for Business Intelligence. His main interests are in the methodological approaches to the BI development and works as a trainer for software houses that need to design complex BI solutions.
Alberto and Marco recently co-authored "Expert Cube Development with Microsoft SQL Server® 2008 Analysis Services" published by Packt Publishing and the "SQLBI Methodology". They are also the founders of SQLBI (sqlbi.com).
Product Details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images? |
More About the Authors
Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
By Cab
Format:Paperback
I like the book for two reasons.
First, while explaining how PowerPivot works, it also explains many BI concepts (OLAP cubes, sql joins, normalization) which are not necessarily known to every excel user. However, these help to maximize the usefulness of PowerPivot.
Second, it also shows what you can do with DAX, the new formula language of PowerPivot, which is quite impressive but not so easily mastered, especially here the book is a tremendous help.
First, while explaining how PowerPivot works, it also explains many BI concepts (OLAP cubes, sql joins, normalization) which are not necessarily known to every excel user. However, these help to maximize the usefulness of PowerPivot.
Second, it also shows what you can do with DAX, the new formula language of PowerPivot, which is quite impressive but not so easily mastered, especially here the book is a tremendous help.
15 of 19 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Being a member of the Analysis Services Insiders group is one of my favorite parts about being a Microsoft SQL/BI MVP. The Insider forums are locked down to select individuals and provide Microsoft experts with a venue to exchange ideas, thoughts, and technical solutions among one another. As a result, overtime I have begun to know both Marco & Alberto, and when I learned they were both working on a collaborative PowerPivot book it peaked my interest. Furthermore, when I learned that the book would have a focus on DAX my interest increased yet again. I received an early copy of the printed manual and over the past 24 hours I have torn thru the book's newly printed pages eager to see what my fellow colleagues across the pond created.
Microsoft SQL Server PowerPivot is an extremely powerful and yet diverse Self-Service BI (SSBI) toolset. There are aspects of PowerPivot that are more slanted towards information workers (PowerPivot for Excel) while other aspects are intended purely for IT Pros (PowerPivot for SharePoint). The key decision for software-centric book authoring "is it better to drill down on a subset of a larger software product's features or provide complete coverage with less details" still applies today. Marco Russo and Alberto Ferrari have clearly decided to focus on the PowerPivot for Excel experience with an advanced exploration of DAX, PowerPivot's best in class information worker expression language.
The book's key driver for purchase is that it is authored by seasoned Microsoft BI experts who exploit PowerPivot for Excel's analytical capabilities to the max.... Read more ›
Microsoft SQL Server PowerPivot is an extremely powerful and yet diverse Self-Service BI (SSBI) toolset. There are aspects of PowerPivot that are more slanted towards information workers (PowerPivot for Excel) while other aspects are intended purely for IT Pros (PowerPivot for SharePoint). The key decision for software-centric book authoring "is it better to drill down on a subset of a larger software product's features or provide complete coverage with less details" still applies today. Marco Russo and Alberto Ferrari have clearly decided to focus on the PowerPivot for Excel experience with an advanced exploration of DAX, PowerPivot's best in class information worker expression language.
The book's key driver for purchase is that it is authored by seasoned Microsoft BI experts who exploit PowerPivot for Excel's analytical capabilities to the max.... Read more ›
6 of 7 people found the following review helpful
By MAD
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Most of the book is well written, it would be nice to have some application exercises so you could do the process step by step and later check the answer. Otherwise it is too much theory.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By roberbaron
Format:Paperback
This is simply the best book out there to understand the great power that is behind this tool. If you take short time to sit down and read it, it can save you endless hours of work and thousands of dollars - not to mention an enhanced understanding of databases.
Yes, there are some parts that take a little work to follow, but its worth it trust me. I 've read all the other books - many are good - but if I had to choose one, this is it.
It is now required reading for all my staff and coworkers. It saves time, money and allows us to do things we were never able to do before.
Yes, there are some parts that take a little work to follow, but its worth it trust me. I 've read all the other books - many are good - but if I had to choose one, this is it.
It is now required reading for all my staff and coworkers. It saves time, money and allows us to do things we were never able to do before.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
If you are new to PowerPivot and especially DAX, this is simply a must-own book. Authors provide great examples and they're also included in the book on the dvd. Marco/Alberto are probably two of the leaders in PowerPivot/DAX.
People that have experience with PowerPivot and DAX could also extend their knowledge by utilizing this book as well.
People that have experience with PowerPivot and DAX could also extend their knowledge by utilizing this book as well.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
A DVD of workbook examples and an Access version of the book's sample database accompanies a fine survey of data analysis skills in Microsoft PowerPivot for Excel 2010: Give Your Data Meaning. Any Excel collection catering to advanced users should have this: it teaches how to apply Excel's formulas to the Power Pivot language DAX, how to manipulate, sort and understand calculations and data results, and how to perform sophisticated functions such as using PivotTables and charts. Excel users in business settings will find this a 'must'.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I have had the pleasure to share multiple spaces with Alberto and Marco, being a SQL Server MVP myself. And the clarity and technical rigour of their knowledge is greatly appreciated among many BI experts in the industry. If you are looking for your first resource to learn EFECTIVE dax, look no further. This book must be part of your fundamental arsenal for tackling the new BI generation. I wish there would have been a book like this when I started MDX 15 years ago.
Siendo un MVP de SQL Server, he tenido el placer de compartir múltiples actividades a lo largo de los años con Alberto y Marco, y la claridad y el rigor técnico de ambos es altamente apreciado entre los expertos de la industria de BI del mundo Microsoft.Si estás buscando un primer recurso para aprender DAX de una forma EFECTIVA, no busques más. Este libro debe ser una parte fundamental de las herramientas para afrontar la nueva generación de BI. Ojalá hubiese existido un libro como este cuando inicié mi camino en MDX hace 15 años.
Siendo un MVP de SQL Server, he tenido el placer de compartir múltiples actividades a lo largo de los años con Alberto y Marco, y la claridad y el rigor técnico de ambos es altamente apreciado entre los expertos de la industria de BI del mundo Microsoft.Si estás buscando un primer recurso para aprender DAX de una forma EFECTIVA, no busques más. Este libro debe ser una parte fundamental de las herramientas para afrontar la nueva generación de BI. Ojalá hubiese existido un libro como este cuando inicié mi camino en MDX hace 15 años.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By Daryl Turk
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
This is a must have book. One of the biggest problems with PowerPivot is the translation of Denormalizatied tables into Excel Pivot Tables. This basic knowledge is required for people performing Data Analysis or Business Analytics.
This book talks about master tables and one to one relationships, one to many relationships, and discusses ways to denormalize the data. Trying to search for the topic of "how to convert this information into Excel format", is difficult and confusing.
Many of the business Analytics Reports I receive are derived from Excel Pivot Tables. Many of these reports are wrong because the person creating the reports does not understand the pit falls of averages aggregated data. This book clearly defines the issue and show how to detect and solve the problem.
Again this is a must have book, for anyone who is serious about Business Analytics.
This book talks about master tables and one to one relationships, one to many relationships, and discusses ways to denormalize the data. Trying to search for the topic of "how to convert this information into Excel format", is difficult and confusing.
Many of the business Analytics Reports I receive are derived from Excel Pivot Tables. Many of these reports are wrong because the person creating the reports does not understand the pit falls of averages aggregated data. This book clearly defines the issue and show how to detect and solve the problem.
Again this is a must have book, for anyone who is serious about Business Analytics.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Good!
A good overview especially for the return on experience and DAX formulas. I really recommand this book for any PP practionner.
Published 11 days ago by V. Isoz
5.0 out of 5 stars
Highly receommnded!
Great book for anyone, but especially for someone that desires to teach others about mining for data! A must buy!
Published 3 months ago by John K. Atkinson
4.0 out of 5 stars
Worth the investment
The projects are great to work through and business friendly. Definitely worth the investment in time and effort. Read more
Published 4 months ago by smarin
4.0 out of 5 stars
Thorough and detailed guide
The most difficult part of PowerPivot is adjusting to how its formulas work or don't work in alternative situations. Read more
Published 7 months ago by David Hansen
4.0 out of 5 stars
Lavorare con Excel
eccelente guida per chi deve lavorare con le tabelle Pivot, potenza di calcolo oltre a qualunque attesa, buon manuale operativo
Published 7 months ago by Omar leal
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good place to start
It was a good introduction to the world of power pivot. You don't need a significant amount of experience with BI to get started.
Published 8 months ago by ChrisR
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wonderful for Business QA vs the top texts
I've taught both MBA and Master's in Management classes online and physically at MIT, Harvard (GE Crotonville) and Phoenix State University. Read more
Published 9 months ago by Library Picks Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Nice Intro
Nice intro to the topic, but I found another book that was better. Still, not to detract from the book, it does provide good coverage.
Published 12 months ago by Backbutton
1.0 out of 5 stars
DVD is not working.
DVD is not working. I was so disappointed because examples are derived from the DVD to explain how powerpivot works. The DVD is crucial especially if you do not have SQL Server.
Published 17 months ago by Emily
5.0 out of 5 stars
An outstanding book
This is an outstanding book that is easy to read and understand, and progresses at just the right pace. Read more
Published 21 months ago by PaulH
