Power Query and PowerPivot v "Normal" pivot tables

[tiredofit]

Would I be correct in saying the Power Query is mainly, (possibly only), used to manipulate raw data into the desired format?

Are there any other uses of Power Query?

As for Powerpivot, my understanding is it's to create pivot tables. The difference between Powerpivot and "normal" pivot tables is Powerpivot's sources can be from other workbooks, databases, the web, etc, where a "normal" pivot tables sources must reside within its own workbook?

Other than that, what other features does Power pivot have over "normal" pivot tables?

Thanks

 

[RoryA]

Power Pivot allows you to do just about any calculation you can think of within the pivot table / data model.

 

[tiredofit]

Power Pivot allows you to do just about any calculation you can think of within the pivot table / data model.

Can you give me an example of a calculation that can be done in PP but not in "normal" PTs?

 

[RoryA]

There are thousands of them as normal PT calculations are very limited. You can do time period calculations (eg Year to date) or sum one field divided by the count of another, etc. You can also do different calculations at different grouping levels.

 

[tiredofit]

There are thousands of them as normal PT calculations are very limited. You can do time period calculations (eg Year to date) or sum one field divided by the count of another, etc. You can also do different calculations at different grouping levels.

Thanks

 

[Douglas Howard Jr The III]

Thanks

More specifically you can a relational database and complex measures in dax all of which can be called using cubevalue formulas to create completely custom dashboards. It's incredibly powerful. If you'd like I could look up some of the videos that I've always found helpful to explain the basic jumping off points.