Cannot add field to value section of PowerPivot table- using TechNet tutorial

Question

I am doing the MS TechNet tutorial for PowerPivot and using the sample files.  Everything has worked until I got to the Create a PivotTable tutorial.  when I try to add the SalesAmount field to the values section of the grid, it gives me the error "Could not add the field "SalesAmount" to the PivotTable.  Please ensure the field exists and is calculated, and try refreshing the PivotTable."

I refreshed the data several times, the field exists, but I don't know how to recalculate.  I can place other field and even the SalesAmount field into the Rows section with no problem.  I just cannot get it to go into the Values section without the error.  The data type is currency.  Can't figure out why it doesn't work.

I didn't notice before, but every row of the table named FactSales in the PowerPivot window, which includes the SalesAmount field, has the exact same data.

Tutorial is at http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ee835638.aspx

Sample data is at http://powerpivotsampledata.codeplex.com/

 Please tell me if I have posted this question on the wrong forum.  There has been 43 views, but no replies.  Please also let me know if I have asked the question incorrectly.

Thank you

Answer 1

We will get back to you on this.

Answer 2

Thanks you

Answer 3

Hello,

I downloaded the sample data and followed the tutorial instructions for importing the data from the ContosoDB which includes the FactSales table. I was able to add SalesAmount to a new PivotTable with no errors. Did you get any errors when importing the data? If you attempt to import the data to a new Excel Workbook can you reproduce the error?

Regards,

Linda

Answer 4

Sorry Linda for the long delay- hope you're still around.  I received no errors on import.  All of the preceding tutorials with as laid out.  I have deleted the PivotTable several times, recreated it, and received the same error as I described above.  I have not done what you suggest and I will.  I guess I was thinking it was a bug or problem with the sample data, but since you can do it without problem, it is obviously on my end.

Thanks again.  I'll do it from the beginning tomorrrow and report what happens.

Answer 5

I do everything again from scratch and have the same result- an error when I try to add the SaleAmount field to Values and every record of the FactSales table has the exact same data.

Answer 6

Hello,

I will try this again from scratch and see if I can reproduce what you see.

 

Regards,

Linda

Answer 7

Hello,

I have tried again and have not been able to reproduce this error. I am using the released builds of both Excel 2010 and PowerPivot. If you are on an eariler build could you try again with the released build. Otherwise you should open a support incident for this.

Regards,

Linda

Answer 8

HI ,

I have encountered same issue today and as i saw no solution available. As this bugs only meant to bug me :). Any way saved my Excel sheet closed all related link and then Open again.

Amazing it solved my problem .I did nothing :P

 

Answer 9

Hi

I have encountered exactly the same problem, but on my own data. Data fetched from a SQLServer to PowerPivot.

If I copy the table I want to make a pivot table on, to another spread sheet, it works fine, but a pivot table directly on the PowerPivot table is not possible. Gets the same error as mentioned above.

None of the below mentioned points have been of any help. And I have not found a solution yet. If I do I'll be back.

Thanks /ph

Answer 10

Hi

I had the same problem, just closed and opened and it worked.

I get data from SQL Server