Create table vs new table

[ZOEY]

Hello,

new to power bi  here:

when i create a measure table to organize measures, I use "enter Data" from report view ( see image1)

when i create a dates table, i use "new table" from table tools. ( see image 2).

is "enter data" same as "new table" when create a table say creating a measure or dates table? does it matter which one we use?

thank you Zoey

[ZOEY]

@audreygerred , great article!! Thank you! now that  makes perfect sense.. I have been trying to follow the instructions and now just got a chance to digest why this and that.

Thank you for the robust enpowerment!

Zoey

[audreygerred]

You're very welcome! Good luck on your continued journey - I love the great questions!

[audreygerred · Accepted solution]

Hi! Enter Data will create a new table, but you enter the data in the pop-up that appears. The New Table option also creates a new table, but you need to use DAX to define it. You're doing it right - for a measures table you use Enter Data and to create a calendar table (I love the one I reference in this blog - it is very comprehensive and has the link you can download from SQLBI), you use the the New table. Keep it up!!

http://powerbiwithme.com/2023/08/01/the-custom-date-table-edition/ 

Enter Data:

Purpose:

• Quick Data Input: "Enter Data" is designed for quickly entering small amounts of data directly into Power BI. It's like a data entry interface within the Power BI Desktop.

Use Cases:

• Manual Input: You can use "Enter Data" when you want to manually input a small dataset, such as entering a list of values or creating a small lookup table.

How to Use:

1. In Power BI Desktop, go to the Home tab.
2. Click on "Enter Data" in the External Data group.
3. Enter your data in the table editor.

Example: Suppose you want to create a table of regions with their respective sales targets. You can quickly input this data using the "Enter Data" feature.

New Table:

Purpose:

• Derived Tables: "New Table" is used to create a table based on a DAX formula. It allows you to derive a table based on calculations or logic applied to existing tables in your data model.

Use Cases:

• Calculated Tables: You can use "New Table" to create calculated tables based on DAX expressions. These tables are not directly input; instead, they are derived from existing tables using calculations.

How to Use:

1. In Power BI Desktop, go to the Modeling tab.
2. Click on "New Table" in the Calculations group.
3. Enter your DAX formula to define the new table.

Example: Suppose you have a table with sales data, and you want to create a new table that shows the average sales per month. You could use "New Table" with a DAX formula to derive this new table based on your sales data.

Key Differences:

• Manual vs. Derived: "Enter Data" is for manual data entry, while "New Table" is for creating tables based on DAX calculations.

• Input Method: "Enter Data" provides a user interface for direct input, while "New Table" requires you to define the table using a DAX formula.

• Use Case Size: "Enter Data" is suitable for small datasets, whereas "New Table" is more powerful for creating calculated tables based on larger datasets or complex calculations.

In summary, choose "Enter Data" for quick manual input of small datasets, and use "New Table" when you need to create a table based on DAX calculations and logic.