How to Fix SharePoint Access to the Resource Is Forbidden in Excel
Question details
The user is unable to connect to a SharePoint file via Excel and receives an 'Access to the resource is forbidden' error, even after clearing data source permissions.
- Product
- Microsoft Excel, SharePoint
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Connecting Excel to a SharePoint data source or file to import data.
- Observed behavior
- Excel displays an 'Access to the resource is forbidden' error message, blocking access to the SharePoint data.
Verify that your account has the correct permissions by opening the SharePoint site and the specific file directly in your web browser before attempting to fix the connection in Excel.
Reset Excel Account and Data Source Credentials
Completely clear your Excel global data source permissions and re-authenticate your Microsoft account to refresh your access tokens.
Often, Excel caches old or incorrect login tokens for SharePoint connections. Simply clearing the data source settings might not be enough if your Office account session itself is stuck in a bad state. A full sign-out and restart are required.
Open Excel, navigate to the 'Data' tab, click on 'Get Data', select 'Data Source Settings', and click 'Clear Permissions' for the global SharePoint site.
Go to 'File' > 'Account', click 'Sign Out' for all connected Microsoft accounts, and completely close the Excel application.
Restart your computer. Open Excel again, go to 'File' > 'Account', and sign back in using the authorized account that has access to the SharePoint site.
Attempt to connect to the SharePoint file again via the 'Data' tab. When prompted for credentials, make sure to select 'Organizational account' on the left side, then sign in.
Test Alternative SharePoint Site Accessibility
Ensure the issue is not related to a broken URL or a server-side permission restriction specific to one file.
Try WPS Office for Seamless Spreadsheet Management
If Microsoft Excel continues to experience connection issues or authentication loops, consider using WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible alternative for viewing, editing, and managing your spreadsheets without the heavy resource requirements.
- 1. Download and Install: Visit the WPS Office website and download the free version for your operating system.
- 2. Open Your Spreadsheets: Launch WPS Spreadsheets and easily open your existing .xlsx or .csv files.
- 3. Save and Collaborate: Edit your data and save it locally or sync it securely to WPS Cloud for anywhere access.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Excel say access to the resource is forbidden?
This error usually occurs when Excel's cached data source credentials are outdated or incorrect, or when you attempt to connect using 'Windows' credentials instead of an 'Organizational account'.
Does clearing Data Source Settings delete my Excel data?
No, clearing Data Source Settings only removes the saved login credentials and connection rules for external data sources. Your actual spreadsheet data remains untouched.
What is the difference between an Organizational account and a Windows account in Excel?
A Windows account uses your local PC login credentials, while an Organizational account uses your Microsoft 365 or company email credentials, which are typically required for accessing cloud-based SharePoint files.
