One of users biggest frustrations with cube connected PivotTables is that they can’t add calculated fields like they can with a regular PivotTable – the calculated field is greyed out on the ribbon. Data in the Pivot Table can be referenced elsewhere in Excel, but that makes the final report largely static in shape. It means users can’t add even the simplest of calculations into a report where the number of rows or columns may vary, and can lead to BI developers being asked to add every calculation imaginable into Analysis Services.
The good news is that XLCubed Grids (described by some as PivotTables on steroids) let users add any Excel formula directly into the grid. The calculations are entered as standard Excel formulae, so users already know the syntax. All Excel formuale are supported, and the calculation is cube-aware once entered as shown in the video below.
We also let users easily create workbook level calculated members and sets, but in our experience what 90% of users actually want is to be able to add a simple calculated column into a PivotTable (or in our case a grid). They’re really not asking for much, and we’re happy to help.
We can also help where PivotTable users are experiencing performance issues, hierarchy selection restrictions, “PivotTable will overwrite” messages, etc. We keep the Excel flexibility users love, and lose the PivotTable restrictions they loathe. See our PivotTable comparison for more detail on some of the common user problems we address.
