Any ideas of why I get this problem / error?
I am trying to use Power Pivot to create a connection to Oracle.
I create a PowerPivot Data Connection to Oracle.
* Select from list of tables and views to choose the data to import
Wait, Wait, Wait. . .
Then get a selection of tables I have access to (Like running Select * from All_tables in an Oracle client, although the Oracle client is much faster for some reason).
I get a list of tables to choose from.
I select my table.
Click Finish.
Please Wait, Wait, Wait. . .
Then Error: Object reference not set to an instance of an object.
Revision: 2016 Jun 06 @ 6:00 PM EDT
I used Power Query to select the data in the Oracle table and saved it in a spreadsheet. So I am a little confused when should I use PowerPivot vs PowerQuery? In this case, I guess I would use Power Query because it seems to be the only one that works.
Hi Troy,
That's an odd error. I couldn't find a lot of info on the net where others had had the same error either.
Since Power Query is working I'd use that but instead of bringing it into a spreadsheet, just create a connection and add it to the Data Model direct. This way you're not duplicating data in your file. See Power Query session 5.02 Loading to the Data Model or Power Pivot for Excel 2013 or 2016, and 5.04 Load Directly into Power Pivot if you're using Excel 2010.
Mynda
Yea, I had trouble trying to find information about this error from Mr./Ms. Google also.
Is Power Pivot like a basic version of MS Access used to manage the Data Model and Data Sets? I guess the word "Pivot" confuses me and is more of a branding/marketing word.
Hi Troy,
It's like having the ability to create PivotTables from Access data all from within Excel.
For example, you can model your data in Excel like you would with Access; creating relationships between tables etc. Then you can create PivotTables using fields from the different tables, plus write advanced calculations, similar to regular PivotTable calculated fields and items, but far more advanced.
Mynda
