Pivot Table Slicer function

What's the difference between a slicer and just putting a field into the Report Filter catagory? Is there anything you can do with one that you can't do with the other? Or is there a situation where you'd use one and not the other?

hi ChemistB. a few i could think of are:
1. you save at least two clicks. with the report filter, you need to click the dropdown and deselect all first before you choose any of them
2. it is good for newbies/bosses who don't know how to use it. a slicer is much more straightforward
3. you can connect multiple pivots with a single slicer (my favourite use of it). that makes it a very simple dashboard to make. imagine selecting a period like Aug 2015 and all 10 of your pivot charts change together. =D

edit: and to add to point 3 if you have never used it; you just have to create slicer(s) for one pivot and then copy the pivot and the slicer connection will follow. you can also choose to not connect the slicer of course. that is by clicking on the pivot table and then go to Options -> Insert Slicer -> Slicer Connections

Also, with a slicer it's much easier to see what the filters in use are when more than one value has been selected.

Thank you guys. I will play with using the slicer for multiple tables.