Microsoft 365 Error Codes

How to Fix Microsoft Forms Session ID Error When Opening Excel Results

Algirdas Jasaitis Oct 7, 2026 870 views

Question details

The user is unable to view Microsoft Forms responses because selecting the option to open results in Excel triggers a Session ID and Correlation ID error in a new tab.

How to Fix the Microsoft Forms Session ID Error When Opening Excel

Product: Microsoft Forms and Excel
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Attempting to export or view Microsoft Forms response data by opening it in an online Excel workbook.
Observed behavior: Clicking 'Open in Excel' opens a new browser tab but fails to load the spreadsheet, instead displaying an error page with a specific Session ID and Correlation ID. This persists across multiple browsers and devices.

Before you start

Ensure your browser is fully updated and try clearing your browser cache and cookies before proceeding with the specific troubleshooting steps below.

Solution 1Recommended

Test with a New Form to Isolate the Issue

Determine whether the error is a global account issue or isolated to the specific Microsoft Form you are trying to export.

Often, data corruption or sync issues apply only to a single corrupted form workbook rather than the entire Microsoft 365 account.

Create a test form

Go to your Microsoft Forms dashboard and click on 'New Form' to create a blank test form with at least one basic question.

Submit a test response

Click 'Preview' and fill out the form yourself to generate a single response data point.

Open in Excel

Navigate to the 'Responses' tab of your new test form and click the 'Open in Excel' button.

Evaluate the results

If the new form successfully opens in Excel without the Session ID error, the problem is isolated to your original form. If the error appears again, it may be a broader network or account issue.

Test with a New Form to Isolate the Issue

Alternative Export Method: If only one form is affected, check if there is an option in the 'More options' (...) menu to 'Download a copy' of the responses as an offline file instead of relying on the live web sync.

Solution 2

Disable Third-Party Security Software and Switch Networks

Temporarily turn off antivirus tools or web protections that might be blocking the connection between Microsoft Forms and Excel for the Web.

Solution 3

Collect Error Information and Contact Microsoft Support

If troubleshooting fails and the issue persists across devices, the server-side error requires intervention from Microsoft Support.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Analyze Your Downloaded Form Data Locally with WPS Office

Since Microsoft Forms sync errors are server-side issues, you may need to download your response data as an offline file. Once downloaded, use WPS Office to easily open, analyze, and format your spreadsheets for free. It is fully compatible with Microsoft Excel formats and provides a smooth desktop experience.

1. Download WPS Office: Install WPS Office on your computer from the official website.
2. Open the downloaded responses: Launch WPS Spreadsheets and open the offline Excel or CSV file you downloaded from Microsoft Forms.
3. Analyze your data: Use WPS Office's built-in charts, pivot tables, and sorting tools to process your collected form responses.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Excel (.xlsx, .xls, .csv) formatsFamiliar, easy-to-use interface with no steep learning curveLightweight application that runs smoothly on older devicesCompletely free to download and use for essential spreadsheet tasks

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Correlation ID in Microsoft Forms?

A Correlation ID is a unique alphanumeric string generated by Microsoft servers when an error occurs. Providing this ID to technical support helps them pinpoint the exact server log and diagnose the backend failure preventing your Excel export.

Why does the Session ID error happen across multiple browsers?

The error persists across different browsers and devices because it is a server-side issue. The data connection between that specific Microsoft Form and Excel for the Web is broken on Microsoft's end, so changing your local hardware or software will not resolve it.

Can I recover my response data if Open in Excel is completely broken?

Yes. Even if the live 'Open in Excel' sync fails, you can often retrieve your data by going to the Responses tab in Microsoft Forms, clicking the 'More options' (three dots) menu, and selecting the option to download the results as a static offline Excel or CSV file.

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