Adding a Data Source for Formulas

Learn how to create more flexible reports without having to use table-based structures.
Beginner
December 27, 2023

Introduction

Adding data sources for formulas in your workbook enables you to generate versatile and well-formatted reports, enhancing tables with calculations or designing layouts that depart from the typical table-based structure. However, when adding a data source for formulas, no table is inserted in the sheet. Instead, you’ll find an optimized formula panel displaying the data source name, data source alias, and filter area, without the builder panel with rows and columns.

Add a Data Source

1

Select a cell in the Excel sheet.

2

Click Add Data Source for Formulas in the Designer panel.

Note

You could also choose Add Function > Add Data Source for Formulas – found within the Excel ribbon.

3

In the pop-up, choose the connection for where your data source is located.

4

Choose a folder from the list and then choose a model.

5

Click Open to insert the data source for formulas.

Note

You could also use the search field to find a particular model.

6

The GETDATA formula is automatically placed within the cell you initially selected in step 1 based on the chosen data source.

Note

An alias is automatically assigned to the data source you just inserted (DS_1).  Subsequent data sources added will also be assigned an alias (e.g., DS_2, DS_3, etc.).

Designer Panel

You can use the Designer Panel to view the data source’s name, alias, as well as the applied filter(s).

Note

If you include more than one data source, you can use the drop-down menu to view and select each data source.

Please refer to the article on how to work with filters to learn how to define which subset of data will appear within the analysis.

Additional Options

Once the data source has been added, you can perform additional actions, including:

  • Changing formula definition (e.g., adding additional formula arguments)
  • Adding other formulas
  • Removing a data source for formulas

Learning Path

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