What is the relationship between data models and pivots?

In Splunk, the Pivot tool is a user interface designed to enable users to create reports, charts, and dashboards without writing Search Processing Language (SPL). For Pivot to function, it requires a structured and defined set of data. Data models serve this purpose by acting as knowledge objects that represent one or more datasets in a hierarchical manner. When a user initiates a Pivot, their first step is to select a data model. This selected data model then provides the entire dataset, including its fields and structure, upon which the Pivot editor operates to build visualizations.

B. Pivots and data models have no relationship. This is incorrect. The Pivot tool is fundamentally dependent on data models; it cannot be used without first selecting a data model as its data source.
C. Pivots and data models are the same thing. This is incorrect. A data model is a knowledge object that structures data, whereas Pivot is a user interface tool used to analyze and visualize the data from a data model.
D. Pivots provide the datasets for data models. This is incorrect. This statement reverses the actual relationship. Data models are built from searches on raw data and then serve as the data source for Pivots.

1. Splunk Enterprise Documentation

Knowledge Manager Manual

"About data models" section.

The documentation states

"Data models are used by the Pivot tool to generate reports and dashboards... It encodes the domain knowledge necessary to enable specialized search experiences like Pivot." This establishes that data models are a prerequisite for Pivot.

2. Splunk Enterprise Documentation

Pivot Manual

"Introduction to Pivot" section.

This manual explicitly outlines the workflow: "To use Pivot

you first have to select the data model that represents the dataset you want to report on. After you select a data model

you are taken to the Pivot Editor

where you can define a report or chart that is based on the dataset that the data model represents." This confirms that data models provide the datasets for Pivots.