Creating the model

Open the Excel workbook named SalesBook which is available from the Packt Publishing website to examine the worksheets within the book. Each sheet contains a dataset for Products, Subcategories, Categories, Customers, Dates, and Sales.

This recipe looks at importing data into the PowerPivot model through linked tables. These are very convenient to use when the data is stored in Excel. Additionally, once the data has been imported into PowerPivot, it retains a connection to the Excel table. This means that, when the data is changed in Excel, it can also be changed in the PowerPivot model.

When a linked table is created in PowerPivot, Excel creates a named range in the Excel workbook. This is then linked to the PowerPivot model (note that there is a small chain symbol before each of the tables). Also, note that the tables in Excel are formatted with alternate blue coloring. The named ranges can be viewed in Excel by clicking on the Name Manager button on the Formulas tab.

A table (table range) is actually an Excel feature that PowerPivot utilizes. A table can be defined in Excel, given a meaningful name and then imported into PowerPivot, so that the name of the table in PowerPivot is the same as the named range in Excel.

Ensure that the Customers sheet is selected in Excel and also any cell in the Customers data is selected. In the Home tab, click on the Format as Table button, and choose a table style; the style chosen in the following screenshot is a relevant one:

Note that the data is now formatted with alternating colors (based on the selected style). Return to the Name Manager window and double-click the table that relates to the Customers worksheet. A new window will open allowing you to edit the name, replace the name Table6 with Customers, and click on OK. The Table6 name is replaced by Customers in the Name Manager window.

Now, create a linked table in the same manner as we did before and note that the name of the table imported into PowerPivot is Customers.