Data Import & Export

Fix Excel Cannot Connect to Analysis Services Cube

Khadija Khan Sep 28, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user is unable to retrieve data from a specific SQL Server Analysis Services (SSAS) cube using Excel's Get Data feature, although the connection works in Power Query and Power BI.

How to Fix Excel Cannot Connect to Analysis Services Cube

Product: Microsoft Excel
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Importing data from an external SQL Server Analysis Services cube for spreadsheet analysis.
Observed behavior: The native Get Data connection fails for one specific SSAS cube, while alternative import methods successfully retrieve the data.

Before you start

Ensure you have your SQL Server credentials handy, verify that your network connection to the Analysis Services server is active, and confirm that your account has the necessary database permissions.

Solution 1Recommended

Adjust Trust Center Settings and Update Drivers

Ensure Excel is allowed to make external data connections and that the correct OLE DB providers for Analysis Services are installed.

Excel relies on specific drivers to communicate with Analysis Services. If these drivers are outdated or blocked by security policies, the connection will fail.

Open Excel Trust Center

Click on File > Options to open the Excel Options dialog. Select Trust Center from the left pane and click on Trust Center Settings.

Enable Data Connections

Navigate to the External Content tab. Under 'Security settings for Data Connections', select 'Enable all Data Connections' (use this setting cautiously and only on trusted networks).

Update MSOLAP Drivers

Download and install the latest Microsoft OLE DB Provider for Analysis Services (MSOLAP) from the official Microsoft website to ensure compatibility with your cube.

Restart Excel

Close Microsoft Excel entirely and reopen it. Try connecting to the cube again by navigating to Data > Get Data.

Adjust Trust Center Settings and Update Drivers

Administrator Privileges: Installing or updating OLE DB drivers will require system administrator privileges on your computer.

Solution 2

Use Power Query as a Workaround

Since the direct Get Data connection is failing, you can leverage Power Query's robust engine to pull the SSAS data into Excel.

Solution 3

Disable Conflicting Add-ins and Repair Office

Third-party add-ins or corrupted Microsoft Office files might block specific data connection paths.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Office for Your Daily Spreadsheet Needs

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Power BI connect to the SSAS cube but Excel fails?

Power BI and Power Query often use different, more robust connection providers or updated internal data engines compared to Excel's legacy Get Data methods. They can sometimes bypass local driver conflicts that affect standard Excel connections.

What is the MSOLAP driver?

MSOLAP stands for Microsoft OLE DB Provider for Analysis Services. It is the essential driver that Excel requires to properly communicate, authenticate, and retrieve data from SQL Server Analysis Services cubes.

Can I connect to Analysis Services cubes on a Mac?

Native connections to SQL Server Analysis Services cubes are primarily supported on the Windows versions of Excel. Mac users typically need to rely on remote desktop solutions, virtual machines, or web-based dashboards like Power BI Service.

Is 'Enable all Data Connections' safe to use?

Enabling all data connections can expose your computer to malicious data sources. It is recommended to only use this setting if you trust the network and the specific databases you are connecting to, such as internal corporate servers.

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