title: Can the data model be used without pivot tables, e.g. to replace vlookup in a simple table?
body: <p>I find the excel data model useful. But having built a data model, how can I look up values? It seems to be useful for pivot tables, I can add fields from related tables. But I want to add a column to my 'normal' table with a 'looked-up' value.</p>
  
  <p>E.g. (hopefully unnecessary example) table <code>people</code> has columns <code>id</code> and <code>name</code>. Table <code>comments</code> has columns <code>comment</code> and <code>people_id</code>. I told excel that <code>people_id</code> is a foreign key to <code>id</code> in table <code>people</code>. I now want to display the <code>comments</code> table with the actual names as a new column, not just the id. How can I do this? Add a new table based on a query?</p>
  
  <p>I know this is possible using functions like vlookup, but I am wondering if the data model can help. Google does not seem to return anybody having this problem, most people are content with vlookup or pivot tables.</p>
  
  <p>Powerpivot has a function that would be perfect, called <code>RELATED</code>.</p>