Fix Excel Power Query Access Denied Errors for Desktop Files
Question details
Resolve an Access Denied error in Excel Power Query or a PivotTable when it reads or combines data from another Excel workbook.
- Product
- Microsoft Excel Power Query and PivotTable
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- The user refreshes a query that combines data from multiple Excel workbooks, including a source file stored on the Desktop.
- Observed behavior
- Power Query or a PivotTable reports that access to the Excel file path is denied.
Locate the source workbook named in the error and confirm that you can open it using the same Windows or macOS user account. Keep the exact folder path available so you can compare it with the path configured in Power Query.
Check the source workbook, Desktop folder permissions, and file lock
Use this first when the error identifies a specific workbook or Desktop path that Power Query cannot read.
Power Query needs permission to read both the source workbook and the folder that contains it. A file opened exclusively by another app, marked read-only, or stored in a restricted folder can cause an Access Denied refresh error.
In File Explorer or Finder, browse to the file path shown in the Power Query error and open the workbook directly in Excel. If it will not open, resolve the file access issue before refreshing the query.
Close the source workbook in Excel and close any other application that may be using it, such as a sync client, preview tool, or another Excel session. Then try the query refresh again.
On Windows, right-click the workbook or its folder, select Properties, and review the General and Security tabs. Clear Read-only when applicable and make sure your account has permission to read the file and folder.
Create or use a folder that your current account can access, such as a local Documents subfolder, and move or copy the source workbooks there. Update the query path if the folder location changes.
On macOS, open System Settings > Privacy & Security > Files and Folders, select Microsoft Excel, and allow access to Desktop Folder. Restart Excel and refresh the query.
Verify the Power Query path and data source credentials
Use this when you can open the workbook manually but the query still returns Access Denied during refresh.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Power Query say Access Denied when I can see the Excel file?
Seeing a file does not always mean Excel can read it during a query refresh. Check whether you can open the workbook manually, whether another application has it locked, and whether your account has read permission for both the file and its parent folder.
Where can I change a Power Query file path in Excel?
Go to Data > Get Data > Data Source Settings, select the relevant file or folder source, and choose Change Source or Edit Permissions. Confirm that the location matches the current workbook path.
How do I remove saved Power Query credentials for a file source?
Go to Data > Get Data > Data Source Settings, select the source, and choose Edit Permissions. Select Clear Permissions, then refresh the query and provide the appropriate access method when prompted.
How can I let Excel access my Desktop folder on a Mac?
Open System Settings > Privacy & Security > Files and Folders, find Microsoft Excel, and enable Desktop Folder access. Restart Excel after changing the permission.
