Do You Need Power BI to Import Web Data into Excel?
Question details
The user wants to know whether Power BI Desktop is required to retrieve web data in Excel and which Power Query options are available.
- Product
- Microsoft Excel Power Query and Microsoft Power BI Desktop
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Importing and refreshing data from supported web pages or file sources in an Excel workbook.
- Observed behavior
- The goal is to retrieve data directly in Excel without installing Power BI Desktop.
In Excel, check the Data tab for Get Data or From Web, and have the source URL ready. If you use a Mac, check your Excel version and Microsoft 365 subscription because Power Query connectors and editing capabilities vary by release.
Import web data directly with Excel Power Query
Use this option when Excel provides the From Web connector; Power BI Desktop is not required.
Excel includes Power Query capabilities for importing and transforming supported data sources. A web import can still fail if the site requires unsupported authentication, renders its data dynamically, or restricts automated requests.
In Excel for Windows, select Data > Get Data > From Other Sources > From Web. In some versions, From Web is available directly on the Data tab.
Paste the web page or supported data endpoint URL into the From Web dialog and select OK. If prompted, choose the authentication method required by the source.
In Navigator, select the available table or data item, then choose Transform Data to clean it in Power Query Editor or Load to import it directly. JSON and other structured responses may require conversion into a table before loading.
After editing, select Home > Close & Load in Power Query Editor. To update the imported results later, select Data > Refresh All in Excel.
Check Power Query support in Excel for Mac
Use this check before following Windows web-import instructions on a Mac.
Work with Downloaded Web Data in WPS Spreadsheet
WPS Office is a free, lightweight alternative with a familiar spreadsheet interface and support for Excel files, making migration straightforward for everyday workbook tasks. Use WPS Spreadsheet to open and analyze downloaded CSV or XLSX data; it does not fix Excel Power Query or replace its web connectors and refresh workflow.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to install Power BI Desktop to use Power Query in Excel?
No. In supported Excel versions, Power Query is available through the Data tab. On Windows, use Data > Get Data > From Other Sources > From Web to start a web import without Power BI Desktop.
Why don't I see From Web in Excel for Mac?
Power Query features and connectors differ between Windows and Mac and across releases. Check Excel > About Microsoft Excel, confirm your Microsoft 365 subscription, and inspect Data > Get Data (Power Query) for the connectors available in your installation.
Can Power Query import CSV, XLSX, XML, and JSON data?
Yes, supported Excel Power Query connectors can import these formats. On Windows, check Data > Get Data > From File for the relevant connector. Availability on Mac depends on the Excel release, and importing a file is distinct from retrieving it through a web connector.
Why is my web query slow or failing to refresh?
The source may require credentials, restrict automated access, or enforce API request limits. In Excel, open Data > Queries & Connections to inspect the query and use Data > Get Data > Data Source Settings to review permissions. For API queries, reduce unnecessary requests or use batching if the API supports it; Power BI Desktop does not remove those source restrictions.
Can WPS Spreadsheet refresh my Excel Power Query web connections?
Do not assume that Excel Power Query connectors or refresh workflows will work in WPS Spreadsheet. Refresh the query in a supported Excel installation. For routine analysis in WPS, download the source data as CSV or XLSX and open it through File > Open.
