Inserting a Data Source

In Analysis for Excel, data is displayed and analyzed in crosstab. To create a crosstab, first choose Insert Data Source from the Analysis ribbon. You then have three options:

• Select Data Source for Analysis . . .
• Select Data Source for Defining Formulas . . .
• Insert Anlaysis View . . .

The figure shows the Insert Data Source button of the Analysis Ribbon and its options.

When choosing Select Data Source for Analysis . . ., you select the appropriate connection to your source system and then browse in that system for the specific data source you want to analyze.

The figure shows the Connections choices of the Select Data Source dialog.

The figure shows the data source options of the Select Data Source dialog.

The result is a crosstab, usually with measures in the Columns and dimensions in the Rows.

The figure shows the screenshot of the crosstab representing an inserted data source in the Analysis worksheet.

When inserting a data source for defining formulas, you can use all data sources available to Analysis. But rather than the data appearing in a crosstab format, no crosstab is displayed. Instead, you can use formulas to design workbooks that do not adhere to the classic result set/crosstab based layout.

We will explore Analysis-specific formulas later in the course.

Let's summarize:

• Analysis for Excel uses crosstabs for data display and analysis.
• It prompts connection upon first data source insertion; allows saving workbooks and accessing data sources.